



PRESENTIilJ BY 



l>^n 



C-o "nn ~nn \ I !«<=- 



I 4 I ^ 

REPORTS 



RECEIVED BY 

THE JOINT 

DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE 

OF FUNDS FOR 

JEWISH WAR SUFFERERS 



FELIX M. WARBURG, Chairman 
ALBERT LUCAS, Secretary 



NEW YORK 
1916 



PRESS OF 

CLARENCES. NATHAN, INC., 

NEW YORK. 






CONTENTS. 



PAGES 

Executive Committees of Relief Bodies Represented by Joint 

Distribution Committee 5-6 

Introduction 7 

Committees Abroad to Whom Money is Sent for Distribution. . . 9 

Reports Received from Foreign Committees: 

I. Russia 11-64 

Reports of Jewish Committee for Relief to Victims of the War. ... 12 

Report of November, 1915 12 

List of Local Jewish Committees 28 

List of Correspondents of Local Committees 33 

Report of March 1, 1916 38 

II. Poland (Territory Occupied by German Troops) 65-106 

Members of Hilf skomite fiir Polen .* 70 

Local Committees in the Larger LocaHties 71 

Report of Trip Through Courland and Lithuania 75 

Report of Activities up to Present 82 

Report of Warsaw Committee 97 

Report of American Section 101 

III. Austria-Hungary 107-118 

Executive Committee of Israelitische Allianz, Vienna 107 

Report of IsraeHtische Allianz, February 17, 1916 108 

IV. Greece and Turkey (exclusive of Palestine) 119-130 

Letter from Ambassador Henry Morgenthau 119 

Report of Committee for DardeneUes and Gallipoli 110 

Report of Commission for the Assistance of FamlHes of Jewish 

Soldiers in Turkey 122 

Reports of Chief Rabbi of Salonica 123 

V. Palestine 131-140 

Report of Dr. Arthur Ruppin 131 

Agreement for Distribution of Relief Funds in Palestine 134 

Statement of Expenditures of American Funds up to April 11, 

1915 136 

Soup Kitchens 137 

Food Ship "Vulcan" 137 

VI. Alexandria, Egypt 141-150 

Report of Committee for the Assistance of Jewish Refugees from 

Palestine and Syria • l*! 

VII. Switzerland 151-154 



Report of Central Committee for Jewish Students in Switzer- 



land. 



151 



3 



AMERICAN JEWISH RELIEF COMMITTEE 



Louis Marshall 
Felix M. Warburg 
Cyrus L. Sulzberger 
David M. Bressler 



Chairman 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Asst. Secretary 



Dr. Cyrus Adler 

Isaac Adler 

Louis D. Brandeis 

Caesar Cone 

Col. Harry Cutler 

Samuel Dorf 

Harry Fischel 

J. Walter Freiberg 

Dr. Harry Friedenwald 

Rabbi Moses J. Gries 



Mrs. Janet S. Harris 
Rev. Dr. Emil G. Hirsch 
Louis E. Kirstein 
E. W. Lewin-Epstein 
Hon. Meyer London 
Harriet B. Lowenstein 
Hon. Julian W. Mack 
Dr. J. L. Magnes 
Samuel Phillipson 
Julius Rosenwald 



Hon. Leon Sanders 

Jacob H. Schiflf 

Col. Moses Schocnberg 

Mrs. Abram Simon 

Hon. Oscar S. Strauss 

Hon. Mayer vSulzbcrger 

Col. Isaac M. U 11 man 

A. Leo Weil 

Col. Harris Weinstock 



CENTRAL RELIEF COMMITTEE 



Leon Kamaiky . 
Rabbi Israel Rosenberg 
Rabbi Meyer Berlin 
Peter Wernik . 
Julius Dukas . 
Harry Fischel . 
Albert Lucas . 
Morris Exgelman 
Stanley Bero . 



Chairman 



Vice-Chairmen 



Treasurer 

Executive Secretary 

Finajicial Secretary 

Manager 



Rabbi S. H. Click 
Rabbi Benjamin B. Guth 
Rabbi H. S. Goldstein 
Rabbi Solomon E. Jaflfe 
Rabbi Philip Klein 
Rabbi Joseph Konvitz 
Rabbi J. Levenberg 
Rabbi B. L. Leventhal 
Rabbi M. S. Margolies 
Rabbi I. Siegel 
Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum 
Rev. Dr. B. Drachman 
Rev. Dr. Moses Hyamson 
Rev. Philip Jaches 
Rev. H. Masliansky 
Rev. Dr. H. P. Mendes 
Rev. H. S. Morias 
Rev. Dr. Max Raisin 
Hon. Josepli Barondess 



Dr. Paul J. Bauerberg 
Guedalia Bubelik 
S. S. Bloom 
I. L. Brill 
IVIoses Davis 
Henry Eiser 
C. Joshua Epstein 
William Fischman 
Aaron Garfunkel 
Samuel Goldstein 
Jacob Ginsburg 
Philip Hersh 
Louis I. Kapit 
David Kass 
Wolf Klebansky 
E. W. Lewin-Epstein 
Nathan Lamport 
William B. Leaf 



A. Lubarsky 

Samuel Mason 

Moritz Neuman 

Rabbi M. Peikus 

Israel H. Perskin 

Moses H. PhilHps 

Hon. N. Taylor Phillips 

Nathan Roggcn 

J. Rokeach 

G. S. Rotli 

William Roth 

Hon. Leon Sanders 

Michael Salit 

Ezekiel Sarasohn 

L. Schwartz 

Elias Surut 

Leon Tuchman 

Isidore Wliite 



PEOPLE'S RELIEF COMMITTEE 



Hon. Meyer London 
Sholom Ash 
Jacob Panken . 
Dr. S. Ellsberg 
Sholom Goldberg . 
Samuel Heller 

ChONON J. MiNIKES 

A. I. Shiplacoff 
Dr. Julius Rudisch 
Dr. B. Hoffman 
Dr. Anna Aronovich 
Mrs. Philip Lewisohn 
Boris Fingerhood . 

B. Zuckerman . 



Chairman 

Vice- Chairmen 
Treasurer 

Chairmen of 
Sub- Committees 



Executive Secretary 
Secretary for Out-of-Town 



Jacob P. Adler 

Dr. Anna Aronovich 

Sholom Ash 

A. Back 

I. Berkenblitt 

Rev. M. Berlin 

Herman Bernstein 

R. Block 

Dr. I. J. Bluestone 

Meyer Brown 

G. Bublik 

Abraham Cahan 

Dr. H. Climenko 

Dr. Michael Cohen 

Isidor Cohen 

Charles A. Cowen 

Dr. Fanny Dembo 

Peter Diamond 

S. Diamond 

M. Drujanoff 

Dr. Samuel Ellsberg 

H. Ehrenreich 

Joel Entin 

E. W. Lewin-Epstein 

M. Epstein 

H. Eiser 

Rabbi J. Eskolsky 

J. G. Feit 

M. M. Fertig 

E.Fife 

Louis Fife 

Boris Fingerhood 

M. Gilis 

Dr. M. Girsdansky 

I. Gonikman 

M. Goodman 

Ab. Goldberg 

Isaac Goldberg 

Dr. J. Halpern 

J. Halpern 

Mrs. M. Halperin 



Adolph Held 

Ab. Heller 

Samuel Heller 

A. Hershkovitz 

Dr. B. Hoffman 

Max Hollander 

Dr. I. Hourvitch 

S. Janovsky 

Dr. S. Joseph 

H. Kahn 

Rabbi M. A. Kaplan 

Dr. Paul Kaplan 

David Kessler 

C. Karlinger 

Albert Kruger 

Krotchmar-Israeli 

Meyer London 

Louis B. London 

Harry Lang 

Leo Lerner 

I. Irving Lipsitch 

S. Le Vinson 

Louis Lipsky 

Max Luloff 

Dr. J. L. Magnes 

Dr. H. Masliansky 

Jos. S. Marcus 

S. Metz 

J. Meltzner 

Chonon J. Minikes 

Ab. Mitchel 

A. Mintz 

Jacob Milch 

Leon Moisseiff" 

Dr. Henry Moskovitz 

M. Olgin 

Jacob Panken 

Max Pine 

Mrs. A. Pastor 

David Pinsky 

6 



S. Polacoff 
Dr. S. E. Posin • 
Abraham Reisin 
B. G. Richards 
Max Perlman 
Hilel Rogoff 
Dr. F. F. Rosenblatt 
M. Rothenberg 
Z. N. Rubinstein 
H. Salant 
H. R. Segal 
Bernard Semel 

A. I. Shiplacoff 
Abr. Shomer 

J. Shlosberg 
W. Schwartz 
S. Shore 

B. Shlesinger 
Victor Shwartz 

A. Solovioff 

I. Spectorsky • 

S. Spector 

Sol. Suffrin 

J. Sprayregen 

M. Stern 

Boris Thomashefsky 

S. Thau 

L. Tropp 

M. Turitz 

Rabbi D. Twersky 

G. Vishniak 

Mrs. Warshavsky 

Philip Wattenberg 

B. Weinstein 

Dr. J. M. Wallfield 
Barnet Wolff 
Israel I. Wolff 
Dr. Ch. Zhitlovsky 
B. Zuckerman 
Max Zuckerman 



INTRODUCTION. 

The reports contained in this book are those which have recently 
been received by the Joint Distribution Committee. They are 
pubHshed in order to acquaint the pubHc with the methods of dis- 
tribution of the funds raised in America for the rehef of Jews suffering 
through the war. The Joint Distribution Committee consists of 
representatives of the American Jewish ReHef Committee, the 
Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering Through the 
War and the Peoples' ReHef Committee, the names of whose Execu- 
tive Committees are given on pages 5 and 6. 

Felix M. Warburg is Chairman and Albert Lucas, Secretary, 
of the Joint Distribution Committee. It was established November 
27, 1914, after a conference between representatives of the American 
Jewish ReHef Committee and the Central ReHef Committee. The 
Peoples' Relief Committee was invited to send representatives to 
the Joint Distribution Committee on November 29, 1915. 

Every effort is continually being made to obtain detailed infor- 
mation as to the conditions in the various War Zones. The Joint 
Distribution Committee, when making appropriations is, however, 
compelled to rely upon the information contained in the last cable- 
grams received from its correspondents. The detailed reports, such 
as those published in this book, are of course received very much 
later. 

The Joint Distribution Committee has a sub-committee of 
six members which receives and digests all reports from belligerent 
countries and which upon the basis of such reports makes recom- 
mendations or appropriations to the full committee. 

The Joint Distribution Committee fully recognizes the grave 
responsibiHty which the collection and distribution of these relief 
funds imposes upon it. Its deHberations, even after the reports 
have been digested by the Committee of Six, engage the most earnest 
consideration of its members, who devote the greatest care in the 
discharge of their onerous duties. 

The delays in the receipt of reports from the different com- 
mittees abroad and the fact that it is impossible from this end to 

7 



decide as to the best methods to be employed for the reHef of the 
appalling distress, has led the Joint Distribution Committee to 
arrange to send a commission of its own representatives to investi- 
gate the situation on the spot and to establish permanent distribution 
agencies responsible directly to the Joint Distribution Committee. 

The opinions of interested parties as to the decisions and appor- 
tionments of funds made by the foreign committees are of great 
A^alue and are carefrdly considered, but each district, even each town 
and each village, asserts that its loss is the greatest. These state- 
ments, while perfectly natural, are merely based upon a close view 
of the loss of life and ruin of property, by which the individual, in 
each place, is surrounded. 

The Joint Distribution Committee has exerted every effort to 
place the relief funds in the hands of a responsible committee in 
each countrj^, which can, upon a judgment fomied after a general 
surv^ey of the situation as it is contained in each zone, apportion 
the money for the best interests, present and future, of the hundreds 
of thousands of people that it is endeavoring to assist. No estimate 
can be formed at this time as to the sum which eventually will have 
to be raised by the Jews in America, and in publishing these reports 
the Joint Distribution Committee merely desires to give the public 
an understanding of the vastness of the distress it is attempting to 
assuage. 



COMMITTEES ABROAD TO WHOM MONEY IS SENT FOR 

DISTRIBUTION. 

All the funds collected by the three relief committees are admin- 
istered by the Joint Distribution Committee working tlirough various 
organizations and individuals in the countries at war or affected by 
the war. 

From January 20, 1915, to August 15, 1916, there was sent to 

Russia $1,800,000.00 

German-Poland 1,454,500.00 

Austro-Hungary, including Galicia 1,065,000.00 

Palestine, including "Vulcan" 403,788 .69 

Greece and Turkey other than Palestine. . . . 132,325 .00 

Alexandria 21,000.00 

Jewish Students in Swiss Universities 5,000.00 

Tunis, Algiers and Morocco 5,000.00 

Destitute Families of Russian Jews in France 5,000 . 00 

As to RUSSIA, the Joint Distribution Committee sends funds 
to the Jewish Colonization Committee (ICA) which makes itself 
responsible for the proper distribution of the money. Thus far 
all funds transmitted to the ICA have been tvirned over for dis- 
tribution to the Jewish Committee for the Relief of Sufferers from 
the War, which has its headquarters at Petrograd and works through 
local committees in 142 centers. (See page 28.) The names of 
the members of the Jewish Committee at Petrograd and a report 
from that committee will be found on pages 11-64. 

As to those parts of POLAND, LITHUANIA and COURLAND 
now under German occupation, the Joint Distribution Committee 
sends its funds for distribution by Das Jiidisches Hilfscomite fiir 
Polen, with headquarters in Berlin and sub-committees in localities 
throughout the occupied territories. The personnel of this com- 
mittee and a report of its work will be found on pages 65-101. 

On October 25, 1915, the sum of $100,000 was sent to the Ameri- 
can Consul at WARSAW for distribution by a designated com- 
mittee. The report of this committee will be found on pages 
101-106. 

As to AUSTRIA-HUNGARY and those parts of POLAND 
UNDER AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN RULE, the Joint Distribution 
Committee sends its funds for distribution by the Israelitische 

9 



Alliaiiz zu Wien. This committee works in cooperation with local 
committees in several hundred centers of Jewish population, and a 
list of the executive and a report of its work will be found on pages 
107-118. 

As to TURKEY, the Joint Distribution Committee sends funds 
to the American Embassy at Constantinople for distribution through 
committees accredited by it. The Joint Distribution Committee 
has not received any detailed reports of the manner in which the 
funds transmitted for the relief of the Jews in Turkey have been 
disbursed, but general information on this head will be found on 
pages 119-123. 

As to SALONICA and contiguous territory, the Joint Distribu- 
tion Committee sends funds to Chief Rabbi Jacob Meir of Salonica. 
The report of their distribution will be found on pages 123-129. 

As to PALESTINE, the Joint Distribution Committee sends 
funds to Dr. Otis A. Glazebrook, Consul of the United States at 
Jerusalem, for distribution through committees appointed by the 
Joint Distribution Committee. The report of the relief work in 
Palestine will be found on pages 131-140. 

Shortly after the outbreak of the war, a large niimber of Russian 
Jews were either expelled, or fled, from Palestine to ALEXANDRIA 
(EGYPT) . The Joint Distribution Committee has made appropria- 
tions for their relief. The report of the local Committee will be found 
on pages 141-149. 

The Joint Distribution Committee also sent various sums to 
SWITZERLAND for the relief of Russo- Jewish students of Swiss 
universities. These funds were transmitted to Mr. Herman Conheim, 
an American who at the outbreak of the war was at Zurich, for 
distribution through committees accredited by him. Mr. Conheim's 
report wll be found on pages 151-158. 

The committee feels that there is no need of describing the 
terrible conditions among the Jews in the war zone, beyond the 
simple statements contained in the reports from the various coun- 
tries herewith presented to the Jewish public in America. We 
would say in all solemnity that although large sums of money have 
thus far been sent for the relief of the Jews in the war zone, the 
need for much larger funds is ever present. The committee hopes 
that the facts and figures herewith produced will arouse the 
American Jews to renewed efforts on behalf of their brethren, 
much greater than those which have thus far been manifested. 



10 



I. RUSSIA 

Funds appropriated by the Joint Distribution Committee for 
Russia are transmitted to the I. C. A. at Petrograd, which turns 
them over to the Jewish Committee for the Rehef of Sufferers from 
the War, with offices at 60 Rue Ofifizierskaya, Petrograd. The 
officers of this Committee follow : 

M. A. Warschavsky, Chairman of the Organizing Committee. 

Baron A. de Guinzburg, 

H. Sliosberg, . 

M. GiNSBURG I ^^^^""^^ of Executive Committee. 



B. Kamenka, 

Sav. Polak, 
D. Feinberg, 



Treasurers. 



L. Bramson, 1 o . • 
,, „ \ vSecretanes. 

M. Kreinin, J 

This Committee has been recognized by the Government as 
the central body to which all provincial committees and relief organi- 
zations address themselves. The Committee receives Government 
subventions and the most important Russian donations. At the 
request of the Government, MM. Sliosberg and Sheftel represent 
the Committee on the Government Commission for Relief of Refugees, 
and Baron A. Guinzburg is a member of the relief committee organ- 
ized by the Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna. 

Although the Government covers a great part of the expendi- 
tures for food and clothing for the refugees, the Committee is 
compelled to expend the sum of 1,500,000 roubles monthly, or 
18,000,000 roubles for the year. Of this amount, the Jewish popu- 
lation cannot be expected to raise more than 400,000 roubles per 
month, or 5,000,000 roubles for the year. 

The Committee has under its care 200,000 refugees who are 
registered; those who are lodged privately bring the number up 
to 400,000. These, however, are only the refugees; hundreds of 
thousands who are in the war zone are also destitute and in need of 
constant assistance. 

11 



12 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

REPORTS OF JEWISH COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF TO 
VICTIMS OF THE WAR. 

In the month of November, 1915, the Jewish Committee for 
the Relief of War Victims in Petrograd presented a statement to the 
Russian Minister of the Interior concerning the rehef work of the 
Jewish committees in Russia. The statement was made for the 
ptirpose of securing from the Russian Government the sum of 
2,100,000 roubles for clothing, shelter and loans for the Jewish 
refugees from Poland who had been driven into inner Russia upon 
the advance of the German armies. As a result of the statement 
of the Jewish Relief Committee, the Russian Government made a 
grant of 1,000,000 roubles, which was used by the Jewish relief 
committees exclusively for clothing and shoes for the Jewish refugees. 
This item of itself indicates the enormous amount of money needed 
for the elementary needs of the Jewish refugees. Aside from this 
governmental aid, the Jewish rehef committees have had to depend 
almost entirely upon private contributions. The report presented 
to the Minister of the Interior gives an account of the rehef work 
undertaken by the Jewish rehef committees, and it is from this 
ofhcial report that we herewith present extracts as an indication 
of the manner in which the rehef funds from America have been 
expended in Russia. 

REPORT FOR NOVEMBER, 1915. 



ORGANIZATION. 

The committee, which has worked for a period of more than one year, 
has taken care of the Jewish population which has suffered from the war; at 
first, its entire activity was centered on relieving the condition of the sufferers 
in the war zone in the Polish kingdom. As the events developed, the activities 
of the committee were broadened, and, in co-operation with the Petrograd 
committee, committees and societies for relieving Jewish sufferers from the war, 
were organized in other cities. The activities of all these organizations were 
joined by the Petrograd committee, which has in fact become the Central Com- 
mittee. The means of the Petrograd, as well as the other committees in the 
provinces, consisted of voluntary contributions. 

TERRITORIAL COMMITTEES. 

In time, the activities of some of the provincial committees assumed a 
territorial character, and were devoted not only to the respective cities in which 
such committees were formed, but took up the joint relief work to the refugees, 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 13 

and to those who have been forcibly expelled from different governments. Of 
such nature is the organization in Moscow, which is called the Society for Relief 
of the Victims of the War; in Kieff, the Society for Helping the Jewish Popula- 
tion Suffering from War Activities; in Vihia, Kharkoff and Odessa. With the 
closing up of the activities of the Vilna committee, at the present moment the 
Petrograd committee has assumed the role of a unifying center, and with it 
are acting the Moscow Society for the Relief of the War Victims, the Kieff 
society, and also committees in the cities of Kharkoff and Odessa. 

The Moscow society is serving at present the governments of Vladimir, 
Voroneszh, Kursk, Kaluga, Moscow, Nizhni-Novgorod, Orel, Ryazan, Smolensk, 
Tambov and Tula. 

The Kieff committee extends its activities to the governments of Kieff, 
Podolia and Volhynia. The Kliarkoff committee serves the governments of 
Kharkoff and Poltava. The Odessa committee works in the City of Odessa 
and Government of Bessarabia. 

The Petrograd committee extends aid to refugees in all other governments, 
in European Russia, as well as in Siberia. 



LOCAL COMMITTEES. 

The Petrograd committee, as well as other territorial committees, act 
through local committees in every separate urban commtmity, where there 
are Jewish refugees. A list of the local Jewish committees, and of organizations 
for the relief of the victims of the war, is herewith attached. (Supplement I.) 
The number of these is at present 143. Besides, in all different places, where 
there was need of relieving refugees, and where there is no committee in existence, 
aid is extended through authorized persons chosen from the local civic workers; 
the list of such places contains 161 population points (See Supplement 2). 

The organization of local committees, the watching over their activities, 
as well as the investigations into the conditions of the refugees, falls on the 
authorized representatives of Petrograd committee, as well as of other terri- 
torial committees who are chosen from the best-fitted and experienced persons. 
The Petrograd committee, at the present time, has 30 such agents, and the 
Moscow eight agents and three assistants. 

The local committee, with the direct help of its agents, makes up the list 
of the requirements for relief, and this is presented to the Petrograd or respecti\'e 
territorial committee for final approval. The moneys appropriated are, in most 
cases, spent under direct supervision of the agents. Detailed reports of such ex- 
penditures are presented to the Petrograd or corresponding territorial committee. 
Such reports are also presented by the agents, who have made direct expenditures 
for giving relief to refugees, and also by local ci\ic workers to whom_ certain 
amounts have been assigned for specific purposes. 

GENERAL ORGANIZATIONS GIVING AID OF A SPECIAL KIND. 

Along with the committees above mentioned, relief work for refugees is 
also effected by other Jewish organizations, which have been in existence prior 
to the war and which, since the commencement of the war, have made it their 
object to satisfy definite needs of the population, whicli has suffered from the 



14 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

war. In the list of such organizations are, first of all, the Society for Preserving 
the Health of the Jewish Population; this Society has a whole chain of branches 
in the provinces, and extends medico- sanitary aid, and also provides the homes 
for the children of refugees; second, the Society of Industrial and Agricultural 
Work Among the Jews, which has established a special department of relief 
works for Jewish refugees, with a chain of branches of bureaus in places where 
Jewish refugees are congregating; third, the Society for Spreading Education 
Among the Jews which attends to educational and cultural needs. 

The work of all these organizations is at present in very close touch with 
the activities of the Petrograd Jewish Committee. They receive from it appro- 
priations. Through the imited efforts of all these organizations, the following 
has been effected: (a) Relief work for the Jewish population in the Polish 
kingdom, mainly in Warsaw, where the direct care of the refugees was performed 
in the Jewish Communal Administrative Bureau in Warsaw, which has con- 
trolled the relief work of various government committees of Poland; (b) The 
evacuation and the distribution of refugees, and of those who have been forcibly 
expelled from the governments of Suvalki , Courland, Kovna ; (c) The evacuation 
of concentration points in governments of Grodna and Vilna, just prior to their 
capture by the enemy, and, at the present moment, evacuation by refugees of 
different points, Dvinsk, Polotzk, Minsk, is being effected; (d) Relief of 
refugees is being organized in their new settlements, and means are taken for 
their proper distribution from more congested places to the nearest points. 



REGISTRATION OF REFUGEES. 

In all new settlement places there is kept an accurate registry of refugees 
who have been helped by the committees. 

Information about the number of refugees is furnished bj^ all committees 
to the Petrograd committee, where weekly bulletins are issued. 



NUMBER OF REFUGEES. 

On the third of this month there have been registered by committees about 
155,925 Jewish refugees who have received aid. This number does not include 
the considerable mass of refugees in the Governments of PodoHa, Volhynia, 
Bessarabia, and others from which there is no accurate information, and also 
does not include the number of those refugees, who cannot be coiuited, because 
they are still in the zone of war activities, such as: Polotzk, Molodeschno, 
Baranovichi, Sarni, Pinsk, Kamenetz-Podolsk, and others. Nor are included 
in this list, those of the refugees who have received relief from the Jewish organi- 
zations, but have subsequently settled in different places and have ceased to 
depend on them. 

A census of refugees by governments and separate communities is herewith 
attached (Supplement III). Throughout the period of the activities of the 
Petrograd Committee, relief was rendered to the sufferers from the war in 348 
points. A list of which is attached herewith (Supplement IV). 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 15 

n. 

INCOME AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE UP TO 
NOVEMBER 1, 1915. 

Receipts. 

From members of the Petrograd Jewish Society and from 

out of town (America, etc.) R. 1,877,776.75 

From the Moscow Committee 14,408. 14 

For Special Purposes 144,518.00 

Various contributions (auction of paintings donated by- 
artists, from concerts, from collections among Jews and 

other persons and institutions) ' 188,766.67 

Contributions received and placed to the account of repre- 
sentatives of zones in Petrograd 16,498 . 65 

Interest on open account 1,517 .85 

Total Contributions R. 2,243,426.06 

3 appropriations, of which two were each R. 500,000, and 
by the order of the Council of Ministers made in June and 
August of 1915, and also from the credit of the Special 
Council, dated August 24, 1915, R. 500,000 1,500,000.00 



R. 3,743,426.06 



Disbursements. 

Expended up to November 1, 1915, for various accounts 
of relief to Jewish sufferers from the war, refugees, and 
forcibly-ejected persons: 

(a) Relief to organizations and com- 
mittees of Poland: 

1. In Warsaw, through the Jewish 
Communal Bureau and local or- 
ganizations, "Ezra" and others. . .R. 811,020.00 

2. In the City of Warsaw 12,058 . 15 

3. In Lodz . 1,300.00 

4. In the City of Lomzha (outside 
of sums spent through the Moscow 
Committee) 10,850.00 

5. Suwalki 7,625.00 

6. Government of Lublin — by the 
Government Committee 130,524.94 

7. Radom 50,092.00 

8. Government of Kielce 46,235.00 

R. 1,069,705.09 

(b) By organizations of the Northwest: 

1. Kovna R. 40,655.00 

2. Vilna 15,350.00 

3. Government of Vilna 8,340.00 

(In Kovna, aid rendered by Mos- 
cow Committee, R. 142, 348 . 43) . . . o , r r^^ 

— — — 64,345.00 

(c) In the Southwest: 

(Help in these parts was mostly ren- lOTin nn 

dered by the KieflF Committee) 18,710 .UU 



16 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

(d) Assistance with food, clothing, shoes 
and evacuation expenses. 

1. To the refugees from Govern- 
ments of Kovna and Wilna. By 
the Wilna Committee (outside of 
money spent by the Committee 

on its own account, R. 150,000) . .R. 467,015.00 

2. To persons expelled from parts 
of Kovna and Courland, through 
the Committee of Riga (outside of 
its own expenditures, and from 
moneys collected by local com- 
mittees, about R. 150,000) 100,000.00 

3. In Kovna, by local organizations 51,925.34 

4. To refugees in new places of 
settlement by local committees 
(besides sums spent by the Mos- 
cow, Kharkoff and Kieff com- 
mittees 1,025,671.22 

5. For clothing and shoes to the 

Moscow Committee 150,000.00 

6. Clothing, shoes and food to the 

Kieff Committee 95,000 .00 

R. 1,898,611.56 

(e) Relief to war victims in Petrograd, 
and to individual professional persons, 
loans to rabbis, and also for the main- 
tenance of refugees in Petrograd 95,839 .41 

(f) To labor organizations (relief by 
employment), through the Society of 

Industrial and Agricultural Labor 66,995.00 

(g) Medical relief and special food aid: 

Through the Red Cross Society R. 1 ,000 . 00 

Purchase and delivery of Passover food 
for Jewish soldiers at the front and 
rear parts of the army, from general 
funds for this purpose, R. 80,000.00, 
and from committee funds 12,500.00 

Sanitary feeding stations 34,519 .99 

Expenditures for medical help, etc. . . . 5,500.00 

For increasing the means of the society 
for preserving the health of the 
Jewish population, which has or- 
ganized a medical division, homes 
for children, furnishes transport- 
ation for drug supplies, following up 
the refugees with physicians, nurses, 
etc. (above the amount spent by the 
same society and its branch in Mos- 
cow, amounting to over 150,000 R.) 25,000.00 



(h) Educational relief: 
To the Society for spreading education 

among the Jews (from the funds of 

the committee of the Grand Duchess 

Tatyana Nikolayevna, relief is 

granted only from October, 1915). . R. 8,000.00 
To the Jewish schools and Talmud 

Torahs 15,250 .00 

For the needs of scholars 8,000 . 00 

Sundries 7,150.00 



78,569.99 



38,400.00 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 17 

(i) Relief to Jews in Galicia, through the 
institutions in the city of Lemberg 
(besides amounts spent by the Kieff 
committee of 90,000 R. and the 

Odessa committee of 30,000 R.) R. 109,000.00 

(j) Relief to Jews removed from Syria 

and Palestine 11,000 . 00 

(k) Credit relief by increasing the means 
of the savings societies by covering 

75 per cent, of losses 141 ,750 . 00 

(1) General and Organization Expenses: 
• Maintenance, transportation and allow- 
ance of agents R. 56,247 .26 

Transportation expenses of guides in 

the refugee trains 1,496.19 

Office, postage, telegraph, printing and 
the maintenance of the registration 

of the information bureaus 38,856. 12 

96,599.57 

All which of represents about 2.6 per 
cent, of the moneys expended. 

Total expended 3.689,525 .62 

Balance on hand, Nov. 1, 1915 53,900.44 

R. 3,743,426.06 



EXPENDITURES OF THE RELIEF FUNDS OF THE OTHER 
COMMITTEES. 

The Moscow Territorial Committee (the special committee for relieving 
the victims of the war) has rendered aid in some parts of Poland and the Govern- 
ment of Grodno, and also in ten interior governments, where there are registered 
about 26,000 and about 2,000 unregistered, altogether about 28,000 persons. 
This committee has received up to November over R. 150,000, assigned \iy the 
Petrograd committee for clothes and shoes. 

Contributions in Moscow alone R. 659,583 .52 

Out of town and other cities 95,779 .35 

Total R. 755,262.87 

Of this there have been expended by allotments to organizations for sanitary 
and food assistance and for the maintenance of children's homes: 

Through the Moscow Branch of the Society for preserving 
the health of the Jewish population and for the organ- 
ization of employment bureaus R- 57,512.85 

The Moscow Branch of the Society for industrial and 

agricultural labor has received 12,370.00 

Total R. 82,946.90 

For food supplies 416,882 . 65 

For the manufacture of warm clothing has been spent 

so far 45,870.00 

For assistance to refugees in Moscow 92,430.19 

Total R. 738.131.74 



* At a meeting, held November 2, this amount and more was distributed. 



18 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

A detailed account of the Kieff Committee dated August 1, 
1915, shows that there have been collected in the City of Kieff . . R. 321,149 . 56 

From out of town 48,886 .48 

From the Committee of the Grand Duchess Tatyana 

Nikolayevna 4,000.00 

Total R. 374,016.04 

The expenditures for rehef in Warsaw 27,623 .94 

Government of Volhynia 27,378.00 

PodoHa 16,000.00 

Kholm 12,584.57 

Chernigoff • 40,215.00 

Taurida 5,000.00 

For the medical division 5,751 .36 

For refugees from Palestine 12,000.00 

To the Lemberg Committee from Galicia 83,500.00 

For increasing the General Funds of the Petrograd 

Committee 25,000.00 

Aid to the refugees in Kieff 43,931 .83 

Organization and General Expenses 12,410.48 

During August 33,698.28 roubles were expended, and then after the funds 
have been exhausted and the amount of 95,000 roubles have been assigned from 
the funds of the Petrograd Committee for the making of clothing and shoes. 

The Kharkoff Committee, which serves at the present time only the Gov- 
ernment of Kharkoff and other individual points of the South, there is no detailed 
report yet, but according to the information, which the Petrograd Committee 
possesses, there have been collected and spent about R. 180,000. The Odessa 
Committee collected and spent over R. 200,000 independently of the larger 
territorial committees, the local committees organized in more thickly settled 
centers by considerable numbers of Jews, who recei\'e aid from the Central and 
Territorial Committees only on condition that they take part in the expenses 
for helping the refugees in more or less degree, and also that the funds should 
be raised in the respective places. 

These amounts are at present not yet outlined, but their extent can be 
judged from the following statements which are on file with the Petrograd 
Committee : 

In the City of Vilna there has been collected and ex- 
pended about R. 180,000 .00 

In Riga 150,000.00 

In Yekaterinoslav 75,000 .00 

In Taurida, the monthly activities of the local com- 
mittees amount to (for the entire period of the settle- 
ment of the refugees there was about 100,000 roubles) 20,000 . 00 

In Poltava per month (about 40,000 roubles) ' 7,000.00 

The aniount spent by other committees is not given 
but judging by estimates and demands from various 
places, they will extend to no less than 500,000.00 

In this way aU the Jewish organizations for relieving the victims of the war 
have spent more than R. 5,000,000 collected from philanthropic and voluntary 
subscribers, above the R. 1,500,000 granted by the Imperial treasury and above 
the amounts, a little over R. 200,000, which were granted by the Corrmiittee of 
the Grund Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna. 



Russian Jewish Relief Commit tee. 19 

III. 

SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS. 

Food. 

Along with the grants of money, which \ary through the activities of this 
committee from 10 kopeks to 20 kopeks per day, Jewish organizations have 
given suppHes of provisions by way of opening free food stations for adults and 
also for children. The people have, however, not made use of these food stations, 
and therefore this method of help was not extended to any large degree. Hot 
and cold meals from the general kitchens were only given in places of greater 
congestion of refugees, but besides giving the subsidies, the local committees 
have opened, wherever it appeared possible with the immediate participation 
of the representatives of the Petrograd committee, supply warehouses for the 
free distribution of products or at greatly reduced prices. 

Supply Warehouses. 

At the present time such supply warehouses have been opened in places of 
new settlement of refugees, particularly in the GovernmentsofTaurida, Poltava, 
and Kherson and the City of Penza, where products are sold at cost or at some 
loss, so as to enable those who receive a subsidy of no more than 20 kopeks to 
improve their food, and on the other hand to prevent an increase in the cost of 
articles of first necessity, which would certainly have taken place owing to the 
influx of new refugees, which might have also resulted in stirring up bad feel- 
ing against the refugees, on the part of the local population. 

Appropriation by Committees for Food Supplies Owing to the Refusal of the 
General Institutions to Furnish Food. 

At the present time with the gradual local application of the law of 
the 30th of August, 1915, and with the formation of government commit- 
tees through the help of national organizations, the expenditures of the Jewish 
committees in giving food supplies to refugees are naturally decreasing, but the 
Jewish committees still find it necessary to satisfy such needs. Since the time of 
the first grant by the Imperial treasury of R. 500,000 to the Jewish committees 
in Petrograd, the Department of Police of the Ministry of the Interior has 
sent out a circular to the Governors in which they were instructed not to allow 
any funds to the Jewish sufferers from the war, but to refer them to the Jewish 
committee. This circular up to this moment has not been withdrawn by the 
Department of Police, and therefore in a large number of Governments, according 
to the information received by the committee, all requests of relief are refused, 
even from funds which have been assigned for this purpose by the Special Con- 
ference, and thus subsidies are refused at the present moment to the Jews in 
Kursk, Orel, part of Vladimir, and Moscow, in which there are about 8,000 
Jewish refugees. Also according to information received from the Committees' 
agent on October 30, the Provincial committee of the Government of Yeka- 
terinoslav has declared that no permanent residence for refugees will be furnished 
for more than 15,000, and that it will take care only of those who seek temporary 
asylum. 



20 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

The city committee in Yekaterinoslav has granted for the maintenance of 
of refugees in private quarters only 4,281 roubles; in the District of Mariupol 
only 4,000 roubles were received, and the subsidy in the Town of Mariupol 
was limited to 10 kopeks per day. 

In the Volodga Government the amount R. 14,000.00 

(were received from the funds of the provincial and 
city league.) 

In Minsk, the city league has granted 5,000 .00 

In other organizations there have been received insig- 
nificant assistance in the shape of some products. 

In Saratov the committee has allowed only R. 15,000. 

The Committee hopes that with the formation of general committees in 
the interior of Russia, in accordance with the Law of the 30th of August, the 
problem of furnishing food supplies will be regulated and that the Jewish com- 
mittees will not be required to make serious appropriations for this matter. 
At present, however, the Committee is compelled to assign and transfer funds 
for this first necessity. During September and October there have been assigned 
to 45 committees, for about 85,111 persons, R. 387,697 (Supplement V). 

The largest appropriation was required for the Committee of Simferopol, 
which serves the Government of Taurida, the amoiint of R. 40,000 for 7,584 
refugees. The committee in Mariupol received R. 14,000 for 2,847 refugees; 
the Poltava committee with 2,584 received R. 14,600; the Kieff committee re- 
ceived 25,000 roubles for feeding about 12,000 refugees; the Riga committee, 
which at present is deprived of all private means, has R. 15,000; the committee 
in Dwinsk has received R. 18,000; the City of Minsk, with a number of 28,506 
refugees, has received 155,000 roubles, etc. 



IV. 

Furnishing Warm Clothing and Foot-wear to Refugees. 

For the satisfying of demands for this article of primary necessity, the 
committee has received very small amounts from the general funds of the local 
organizations, and in view of the oncoming cold weather, the Jewish committees 
were compelled to assume the entire burden of satisfying the demands and for 
lack of means had to apply for funds to the Petrograd committee. From Sep- 
tember to the 1st of November the committee has granted to the Jewish organiza- 
tions serving 105,469 persons, R. 525,950. To cover which amount the committee 
has received from the committee of the Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna: 

For the City of Odessa R. 10,000.00 

For the City of Kieff 10,000.00 

Total R 20,000.00 

and thus from the funds of the committee there has been R. 505,950. From 
the attached statement can be seen that this demand has not been entirely 
satisfied. Thus in the Government of Taurida, where there are 7,584 refugees, 
only R. 5,000 were given for children of school age. In the Government of 
ICharkofE the committee from Yelisavetgrad received only R. 17,000 for 4,496 
refugees; the Odessa committee received R. 30,000 for 3,700. In the Govern- 



Rtissian Jewish Relief Committee. 21 

ment of Poltava, which has 12,000 refugees, so far R. 29,700 has been appro- 
priated for furnishing clothing and footwear to 5,500 persons who have been 
expelled by order of the military authorities. The Kharkofif committee, caring 
for 5,800 refugees (about 2,500 more expected), altogether R. 40,000 have been 
given to the Kharhoff committee; the Kieff committee has received so far 
R. 70,000 for taking care of about 12,000 refugees; in the Governments of Podolia, 
Tchernigoff, Volhynia and Bessarabia, the Penza committee received 30,000 
roubles for 5,258 .refugees; the Moscow Territorial Committee has received 
for 11 interior governments caring for about 28,000 refugees, R. 150,000; for 
the making of underwear, clothing and the purchase of footwear in Petrograd, 
R. 66,000 have been allotted. From reports received by the committee, it 
appears that nearly three-fourths of the entire number of refugees are greatly 
suffering from lack of clothing, footwear and underwear. From estimates 
received from many refugee stations, the expense for furnishing footwear, clothing 
and underwear to those who need it most an average of 15 roubles per person is 
required. Moneys allotted to the local organizations are spent for the purchase 
of material for necessary articles, and these are manufactured exclusively in 
large quantities. The commission organized by the Petrograd committee for 
the purchase and manufacture of clothing, underwear and footwear has obtained 
in Nizhni-Novgorod about 6,000 pairs of boots for adults and 1,140 pairs of 
shoes for young people, at an expense of R. 26,000. This footwear was divided 
between the committees of Saratov, Samara, Moscow, etc. Through theWomen's 
Circle for employment relief and care of girls and protection of women, 
underwear to the value of R. 20,000 has been manufactured at various times. In 
Moscow there were prepared footwear and clothing to the extent of R. 115,000. 
In Nizhni-Novgorod 2,000 new warm coats, felt footwear and head covers, 
R. 25,000. Footwear is also manufactured in Khimroch. 

From detailed estimates received from local territorial committees the 
demand for funds for clothing and footwear amounts to R. 928,175 (Supplement 
VI). From this it appears that the committee has spent R. 505,050, but there 
is still an urgent demand for these articles, to satisfy which, it would require 
R. 422,285. 

V. 

Shelter and Fuel. 

The impossibihty of placing refugees in private quarters, in view of the 
acute sheltering problem in all cities of the land, has compelled the Jewish com- 
mittee to use for this purpose, in most cases, synagogues, schools, quarters of 
philanthropic institutions, and has created a demand for building asylums and 
communal living places. The unfitness, not to speak of the undesirability of 
using prayer houses and schoolhouses as living quarters, has induced the Jewish 
organizations to turn to the Petrograd committee with applications for appro- 
priating necessary means for quarters and fuel for refugees, and it is justly urged 
that the huddling of refugees in communal quarters creates a danger in such 
places, in a sanitary sense, demoralizing the masses of refugees aii<l interferes 
with the finding of labor and occupation for them. Recognizing I lie importance 
of this consideration, the committee has urgently recommended to take steps 
toward placing the refugees in private quarters. According to estimates received 
from local organizations, the cost of quarters and fuel would on an average 



22 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

amount to R. 2, in some places, and according to estimates of the Moscow com- 
mittee, R. 5 a month on an average, counting adults and children. 

On account of lack of sufficient funds, the committee has satisfied these 
demands only in a very limited measure. The expenditures for this purpose 
during September and October are shown in Supplement VII. The expenditures 
under this head for Simferopol amounted to R. 15,000, which were used for the 
securing of coal for heating refugee quarters; while the amount required for this 
purpose for the whole winter will exceed R. 80,000; for coal costing R. 47,000, 
the Penza committee was allowed for October, R. 23,000, from which R. 20,000 
for furnishing fuel, while the expense for fuel for private quarters will amount to 
R. 3,000 per month, and the delivery of the fuel to the barracks, synagogues 
and other places will increase this amount very much. Altogether there has 
been expended in September and October by the Petrograd committee, R. 93,000. 
The demands for the immediate time is figured at R. 2 per month per person, 
and counting 160,000 refugees, it would require R. 320,700, to cover which the 
committee at present has not enough funds. In view of the fact that the general 
organizations are not receiving any moneys from the credits of the Special Con- 
ference, with the exception of very few cases, the necessary means must be 
supplied by the Petrograd committee. 



VI. 

RELIEF BY EMPLOYMENT. 

Relief for the Unemployed. 

The department of labor rehef connected with the Society of Industrial 
and Agricultural Labor among the Jews in Russia, has at the beginning of its 
activities struggled mainly with the problem of unemployment and furnishing 
trade and industrial occupations under the conditions of war time. The repre- 
sentatives of this department have visited for this purpose a large number of 
centers (Vilna, Minsk, Kiefl, Zhitomir, Umain, Rostoff, Dvinsk, Warsaw) 
in which they have investigated the unemployment problem. 

Organization of Workshops. 

Along this line experiments were made to open up workshops for the pmpose 
of teaching productive labor. These shops were formed with the cooperation 
of the Branch and its representatives — in the city of Vilna, for the making of 
stockings, sugar boxes, tailoring and white goods m.anuf acturing ; in Warsaw, 
mechanical, tailoring, saddlery, shoemaking and white goods manufacturing; 
in Lublin, white goods manufacturing, shoemaking, tailoring, basket-making, 
and for children a trade school was opened; in Minsk, needle-work, white goods 
manufacturing; in Yelisavetgrad, hosiery, embroidery; in Vitebsk, tailoring. 

In the Vilna and Warsaw white goods shops, there were manufactured 
by order of the Jewish Committee of Relief to the Victims of the War, underwear 
to the amount of R. 28,125, and the rate of a complete outfit of underwear 
amounted in Warsaw to 90 kopeks, and in Wilna R. 1.13. 

The table herewith attached (Supplement VIII) gives a resume of informa- 
tion received about the number of persons who work in these shops and delivery 
offices. From other centers we have received no detailed information as yet. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 23 

Labor Bureau. 

The activities of this Branch have developed mainly in the field of supplying 
employment. In order to find work for the unemployed and to systematically 
distribute able-bodied persons from places where there is a scarcity of work to 
points where there is a demand for labor, the Department of Labor Relief has 
organized in different places of the Jewish Pale, employment information bureaus, 
the duties of which are to register the demands and supply of labor, the following 
up of unemployed, distributing them from place to place and putting the 
workers in shops and factories; the information bureaus are connected with the 
local committees of relief. At present the labor information bureau under 
control of the Branch is active in the following 32 points: 

Alexandrovsk Yekaterinoslav Moscow 

Bachmut Yelisavetgrad Nikolayev 

Bobruisk Kieflf Nizhni-Novgorod 

Vitebsk Kishinev Odessa 

Voronezh Mariupol Penza 

Lublin Melitopol Perm 

Lugansk Saratov Poltava 

Romny Simferopol Tcherguer 

Samara Sebastopol Usofka 

Kharkoff Smolensk Theodosia 

Gomel Minsk 

Besides this the Labor Bureau was active in Vilna, Warsaw, Lulilin, 
Government of Moghilev and Smorgon. 

The Department of Labor Relief receives all demands for labor which arc 
not satisfied by local supply and weekly reports about the actual number of 
unemployed, who are registered in the Information Bureau, and according to 
these reports the bureau distributes the unemployed from one point to another. 
During July, August, September and October, the department has helped in 
this way nearly 16,728 unemployed refugees. The attached table (Supplement 
IX) contains the information about the activities of 20 labor bureaus, which 
have acted at an average of 85 months each. Up to the first of October the 
services of this bureau have been rendered 25,155 persons, and 8,856 of them 
have been taken care of, and demands from employers were received to the 
number of 23,349 positions. 

Furnishing Tools. 

Besides furnishing employment, the Department has organized, with the 
cooperation of local committee agents, a bureau for furnishing tools and instru- 
ments and all necessary materials for such mechanics who desire to establish 
themselves independently in the places of their new settlement, on terms of 
installment repayments. 

For this purpose, the department has purchased 295 sewing and shoe 
machines and 14 hosiery machines for the sum of 23,366 roubles, which were 
distributed as follows: 53 to 53 tailors in Minsk; 149 in Warsaw; 6 shoemakers 
in Lublin; 20 tailors in Moghilev; 14 hosieries in Vilna; 10 tailors in Saratov; 
7 tailors in Petrograd; 20 tailors in Penza; 10 shoemakers and 20 tailors in 
Tambov, and 2 tailors in Solotonascha. Besides this the department has granted 
for furnishing the mechanics with tools and materials; in Dwinsk R. 500; Yeli- 
savetgrad 500; in Minsk R. 2,300; in Odessa R. 500; in Saratov R. 2,000; in 



24 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Yekaterinburg R. 500; in Ribinsk R. 500; in Penza R. 300. At present the 
department is taking steps to extend its actiA'ities in the Hne of estabhshing 
independent mechanics; this activity, however, l^ecause of lack of funds, and 
also in view of the change of war areas, has not developed to the extent desired. 

At the present time this Branch has 12 travelling agents and 2 assistants, 
who are serving the following governments: Perim, Kdiazan Nizhni-Novgorod, 
Saratov, Samara, Penza, Yekaterinoslaz, Taurida, Kherson, Kharkoff, KiefT, 
Volhynia, Podolia, Vitebsk. 

For this period the department has expended 98,584 roubles, from which 
R. 71,392 were granted by the Jewish Committee of Relief to the war victims 
and R. 27,000 by the Society for Promoting Industrial and Agricultural Labor 
among the Jews in Russia. 



VII. 

SANITARY RELIEF AND SHELTER. 

The problem of sanitary help and aid to children of tender age is being 
solved by the Society for preserving the health of the Jewish population and its 
branches. During the year past, this Society, together with its branches, has 
extended the sphere of its activities throughout the governments which are 
affected by the distribution of Jewish refugees. There are 22 of such branches 
in existence. 

Divisions. 

The Petrograd committee of the Society has organized during the year 
past 40 medical feeding divisions with a staff of 140 persons, among whom have 
worked 35 physicians, 45 assistant physicians, 60 Brothers and Sisters of Mercy, 
these divisions have served about 60,000 refugees at stated places. Especially 
for attending the refugees while on the roads and for following them up, the 
Society has organized about 30 train divisions. This division follows up the 
refugees from place of their entrainment to their last stopping point, rendering 
them medical and food assistance. In a number of these points (Opolie, Mat- 
sewitzi, Vilna, Novosventzyani , Vitebsk, Glubokoye, and other cities and villages) , 
hospitals and isolating refugee houses were opened to the number of 12. Also 
45 ambulances were furnished and a chain of 29 food stations and communal 
kitchens were opened for adults and children. 

Shelter for Children. 

The Society for Preserving the Health of the Jewish Population has paid 
special attention to the preserving of the health of children of tender age, for 
whom 45 shelters were opened, containing 8,000 children. In 17 points the 
Society has subsidized local organizations, which are helping in their territories 
children orphaned by the war. 

The activity of this Society stands in close contact with the committee, 
and in all places where the Society has no branches, they are being served by 
the local comrnittees, but even in places where there are branches of the Society, 
the committee takes upon itself the responsibility for the expenditures of feeding 
and maintenance. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 25 

At the present time, in view of the exhaustion of the funds of the Society, 
which has spent about R. 150,000, the committee has granted for the 
support of the institutions of the Society R. 25,000, and figures that the demands 
of the next months will amount to R. 50,000 per month. 



VIII. 
CREDIT RELIEF THROUGH THE SAVINGS SOCIETIES. 

In September of last year, the committee has decided to render help to 
the Jewish population in the Kingdom of Poland, by giving loans through the 
Savings and Loan Associations, to which the committee has guaranteed 50 per 
cent, of the risk, which might result because of the decrease of earnings of their 
debtors. These bureaus have given at one time R. 99,000 to 11 Savings Societies. 

But with the increase of the number of such refugees, who because of 
their moral qualities and their former financial standing, gave promise of becom- 
ing established in new places as independent artisans or small traders, the problem 
arose how to help this category of refugees by means of credit loans in their 
places of new settlement. By organizing help of this kind it was intended to 
relieve all persons who are likely to become self-sustaining from demoralizing in- 
fluences about to affect them, if they were to become dependent for along time on 
philanthropic agencies. 

In order to put the credit relief to refugees on a business basis, the committee 
refused to grant loans to refugees in such places, where such relief might be given 
by existing loan associations, and for this purpose the committee entered into 
an agreement with a number of such establishments, and allotted them neces- 
sary means for giving loans to refugees by guaranteeing 75 per cent, of the risk 
which is entailed in helping unsettled elements. At the present time credit 
relief is already organized through Credit Corporations in the following towns: 
Yekaterinoslav, Mariuropol, Lugansk, Bachmut, Dubno, Kherson, Rostov; 
besides, negotiations are now in progress in the towns of Khorol, Poltava, Kherson, 
Romni, Priluky, Piryatin, Kremenchug, Krivorog, Genytchensk, Melitopol. 

■ The entire number of registered refugees by the local committees in the 
above places amount to 24,164 persons. As a matter of fact, their number is 
much higher, because in the registry are only entered those refugees who are 
dependent on the committees, whereas the Credit Bureaus are applied to by other 
refugees, who do not apply to the Communal Philanthropic Agencies. For the 
organization of credit relief, the committee has so far granted R. 100,000. The 
supervision of this matter and regulation are centered in a Commission specially 
formed for this purpose. At the present time the representatives of the com- 
mittee have undertaken to organize credit loans in the following towns: Nizhni- 
Novgorod, Yekatarinburg, Perm, Omsk, Kostroma, Saratov, Vyatka, Penza, 
Ryazan, Tula, Voroneszh, Kursk, Tambov, Kozlov, Kostroma, Borisoglcbsk, 
Kirsanoff, Simferopol, Opyeskoff, Kofka, Alexandria, Tom.sk, Ananyeff, Usoka, 
Kharkoff, Orechoff, Nogaisk, Berdian.sk, Novo-Nikalayeff, Ukursk TchellabinoflF, 
Golta, Berdyarisk— altogether about 35 points. What means will be required 
for satisfying the needs of the respective groups of refugees it is difficult at present 
to say, because it depends on the professional and social qualities of the refugees 
in every individual point, and also on the state of the local industrial market, 
and on a long line of other conditions which it is impossible to foresee in advance. 



26 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

At any rate these amounts will be very considerable, and judging by the experi- 
ments already tried by the established committees, it can be expected that the 
minimum will amount to about R. 500,000. 

IX. 
THE COMMITTEES' INFORMATION BUREAU. 

The information department of the committees has made it its business 
to search for refugees who have been lost in transportation and on the roads. 
The department sends out to all points where there are Jewish refugees, also 
to the Jewish Relief Committee and agents, registered lists with requests to 
investigate the lists of those refugees who are already there and those who are 
new arrivals. This information is the main source of finding the people. Other 
means are taken, such as interviewing people on the road and also sending out 
inquiries to the branches of the committee, etc. 

This department receives inquiries not only from all points of Russia, 
but also from abroad and especially from America. By agreement of the informa- 
tion department with the General Russian bureau for registering refugees, in 
connection with the Committee of the Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna, 
all inquiries reaching the bureau about Jewish refugees are sent to the Inquiry 
Bureau of this committee. 

Up to this time there have been more than 22,000 inquiries of which more 
than 2,000 came through the Committee of the Grand Duchess Tatyana Nik- 
olayevna; 50,000 persons have been registered and 3,640 were found through 
this bureau. 

X. 
INDIVIDUAL HELP. 

Owing to conditions which accompanied the relieving and caring for the 
masses of the Jewish population driven from their native homes, there were 
among the refugees such groups of people to whom individual help had to be 
rendered. In the first line of this class are the Rabbis of the communities, 
who on account of their standing could not apply to the local philanthropic 
institutions. Individual help in shape of loans were given by the committee 
to persons who deserved special attention and confidence. Altogether the 
committee has spent for this purpose R. 95,839.41. 

From the review submitted and detailed figures it appears that from the 
time of the grant by the Special Conference (on the 24th of September of this 
year) of R. 500,000 to the Petrograd committee of relief to the victims of the 
war the committee has expended: 

(1) On maintenance and food R. 387,697 .00 

(2) On the manufacture of warm clothing, shoes and 

underwear 505,905 .00 

(3) On shelter needs and fuel 93,000 .00 

(4) On credits to loan associations 100,000.00 

Total R. 1,086,647.00 

not counting amounts granted for the organization of labor relief and medical, 
food and sanitary aids, and for opening shelters for children, through the help 
of the Society^or the Preservation of the Health of the Jewish Population. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 27 

From the above review of receipts and expenditures by the Petrograd 
committee, it appears that the committee had in its control on November 1, 
altogether, R. 53,900.44. At its last meeting, the committee has made assignments 
considerably exceeding this sum. 

Therefore, the Jewish Committee was compelled to use other resources 
such as voluntary contributions, although according to the Law of August 30th, 
all needs for the maintenance, for shelter, clothing and shoes for refugees were 
to be paid from the funds of the Empire. The committee was compelled, 
however, to raise outside funds because, as it was shown above, the circular 
issued by the Department of Police, in which it forbade the granting of help 
to the Jews from general funds, has not yet been recalled; and also because 
the Government committees for estimating the general needs, which would be 
subject to grants from credits of the Special Conference, for refugees of all nation- 
alities, have not yet been formed. 



28 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

SUPPLEMENT I. 

LIST OF LOCAL JEWISH COMMITTEES AND INSTITUTIONS 
OF RELIEF TO THE JEWISH WAR VICTIMS. 

1. Alatir Jewish Circle of Relief to vic- 

tims of war. 

2. Alexandria, Government of Kherson The Commission for rendering 

aid to refugees connected 
with the Aid Society of poor 
Jews. 

3. Alexandrovsk, Government of YekaterinoslavRelief Committee to Refugees. 

4. Ananiefi, Government of Kherson Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to sufferers from 
the war. 

5. Archangelsk Jewish Relief Committee to 

victims of the war. 

6. Astrakhan Jewish Relief Committee to 

victims of the war. 

7. Askhabad Jewish Relief Committee to 

victims of the war. 

8. Baku Jewish Committee of Baku for 

collecting contributions in aid 
of Jews, who have suffered in 
the war area. 

9. Balashov, Government of Saratoff Social Bureau of the Jewish 

Synagogue. 

10. Balta, Government of Podolya Jewish Relief Committee to 

victims of the war. 

11. Bachmut, Government of Yekaterinoslav . .Committee of the Branch of the 

Kieff Society for rendering 
aid to the Jews suffering 
from war activities. 

12. Bakhchisaray, Government of Taurida Society for rendering aid to 

poor Jews. 

13. Berdicheflf Society for rendering aid to the 

Jews suffering from war acti- 
vities. 

14. Berdyansk, Govenmient of Taurida Society for rendering aid to the 

Jews suffering from war acti- 
vities. 

15. Bobruisk, Government of Minsk Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to sufferers from 
the war. 

16. B. Tokmak, Government of Taurida Jewish Committee for aiding 

Jewish victims of the war, 
connected with the Society 
for aiding poor Jews. 

17. Borzna, Government of Chernigoff Administration of the Society 

for helping poor Jews. 

18. Borissov, Government of Minsk Administration of the Society 

for helping poor Jews. 

19. Borissoglebsk, Government of Tambov .... Administration of the Society 

for helping poor Jews. 

20. Bratskoe, Government of Kherson Bureau of the Society for aiding 

poor Jews. 

21. Bielzy, Government of Bessarabia Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to sufferers from 
the war. 

22. Bieschenkovichi, Government of Vitebsk. .. The Bieschenkovichi Branch of 

the Vitebsk Society for help- 
ing Jewish victims of the war. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 29 

23. Velickye Lucky Branch of the Pskofif Jewish 

Committee to render aid to 
victims of the war. 

24. Vitebsk Jewish Society for helping Jew- 

ish victims of the war. 

25. Vladikavkaz Social Service Bureau of the 

Jewish Synagogue. 

26. Vologda Jewish Rehef Committee. 

27. Vlochisk Loan and Savings Association. 

28. Voronezh Jewish Committee for rendering 

aid to Jewish victims of the 
war. 

29. Vyatka Jewish Relief Committee. 

30. Gadyatsh, Government of Poltava Relief Committee for Jews, who 

have suffered from the war. 

31. Golta, Govemment of Kherson Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to sufferers from 
the war. 

32. Gomel, Government of Moghilev Society for helping Jewish poor 

who have temporarily settled 
in Gomel and the Govemment 
of Mohileff, on account of war 
activities. 

33. Gorodok Branch of the Vitebsk Jewish 

Relief Society . for victims of 
the war. 

34. Gory-Gorky, Govemment of Moghilev Bureau of the Society for help- 

ing poor Jews. 

35. Dvinsk, Government of Vitebsk Jewish Committee for helping 

Jewish victims of the war. 

36. Dubrovka, Govemment of Moghilev Bureau of the Society for help- 

ing poor Jews. 

37. Eupatoria Branch of the Society for help- 

ing the poor Jews suffering 
from the war. 

38. Yekaterinodar The Committee for helping Jew- 

ish victims of the war. 

39. Yekaterinoslav Committee for the preserving 

the health of the Jewish 
population. 

40. Yelisavetgrad, Govemment of Kherson. . . .Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to Jews, who have 
suffered from the war. 

41. Yelizavetpol Committee for helping refugees. 

42. Enokievo, Govemment of Yekaterinoslav... First Society for helping poor 

Jews. 

43. Yeniseysk Social Service Bureau of the 

Jewish Synagogue. 

44. Zhitomir, Govemment of Volhynia Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to the Jews of 
the City of Zhitomir, who 
have become impoverished on 
account of war activities. 

45. Zenjov, Govemment of Poltava Committee for taking care of 

forcibly expelled persons. 

46. Zolotonosha Committee for rendering aid to 

the Jewish population, who 
have suffered from war acti- 
vities. 

47. Ivanovka, Government of Yekaterinoslav.. .The Jewisli Spiritual Bureau. 



30 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

48 Irkutsk Social Service Bureau of the 

Jewish Synagogue. 

49 Kazan Committee for rendering aid to 

victims of the war, of the 
Bureau of the Kazan Jewish 
Synagogues. 

50. Kaluga Jewish Society for helping vic- 

tims of the war. 

51. Kaynsk •' Society for helping poor Jews. 

52. Kachovka, Government of Taurida Society for helping poor Jews. 

53. Kertch Jewish Committee for helping 

victims of the war. 

54. Kieff Committee for rendering aid to 

the Jewish population, who 
have suffered .from war acti- 
victies. 

55. Kineshma Social Service Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

56. Kischinev. '. Committee for raising sub- 

scriptions in aid of Jews, who 
ave suffered from the war. 

57. KlimovJtschy Government of Moghilev. . . .Bureau of the Society for aiding 

poor Jews. 

58. Kaslov, Government of Tambov Jewish Committee for aiding 

victims of the war. 

59. Konotop, Government of Chernigoff Branch of the Jewish Society 

of Konotop, for aiding vic- 
tims of the war. 

60. Konstantinograd, Government of Poltava... Society for helping poor Jews. 

61. Kostroma Jewish Society for aiding vic- 

tims of the war. 

62. Kremenetz, Government of Volhynia Committee for aiding sufferers 

in the war zone. 

.63. Klremenchug, Government of Poltava Committee for aiding sufferers 

in the war zone. 

64. Krovelitz, Government of Chernigoff Society for helping poor Jews. 

65. Kursk Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to the families of 
Jewish Reservists in Govern- 
ment of Kursk, and of the 
Jewish Population suffering 
from the war. 

66. Lipetzk Social Service Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

67. Lochvitza Jewish ReUef Committee. 

68. Lubny, Government of Poltava Society for helping indigent 

Jews. 

69. Luga Social Service Bureau of the 

Luga Jewish Synagogue. 

70. ■ Lugansk, Government of Yekaterinoslav . . .Society for helping needy Jews, 

71. Lody, Government of Moghilev Society for aiding indigent Jews. 

72. Malin, Government of Kieff Jewish Philanthropic Society. 

73. Mariupol Commission for rendering aid 

to Jews, who suffered from 
the war, connected with the 
Society for helping poor Jews. 

74. Melitopol, Government of Taurida Committee for aiding victims 

of the war. 

75. Minsk Committee for aiding the Jew- 

ish population who have 
suffered from the war. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 31 

76. Moghilev Council of the Moghilev Jewish 

Society for aiding victims of 
the war. 

77. Mozir Mozir Committee for relieving 

poor Jewish settlers on ac- 
count of the war. 

78. Moscow Jewish Society for helping vic- 

tims of the war. 

79. Nvel, Government of Vitebsk Branch of the Vitebsk Com- 

mittee for aiding victims of 
the war. 

80. Nerekhta Social Service Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

81. Nizhni-Novgorod Jewish Committee for rendering 

aid to victims of the war. 

82. Nikopol Society for helping poor Jews. 

83. Novgorod-Seversk, Government of Chemi- 

goff Bureau of the Society for help- 
ing poor Jews. 

S4. Novonikolaevsk Social Service Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

85. Novorzhov Branch of the Pskoff Society of 

the Committee for helping 
victims of the war. 

86. Odessa Commission for rendering aid 

to Jews, who have suffered 
from the war (with the 
Odessa Branch of the Society 
for preserving the health of 
the Jewish population). 

87. Opochka, Government of Pskoff Branch of the Pskoff Jewish 

Committee for rendering aid 
to the victims of the war. 

88. Orenburg Jewish Committee for rendering 

relief to suffering Jews in 
Poland and Lithuania. 

89. Orsha, Government of Moghilev Committee for rendering aid to 

Jews, connected with Bureau 
of the Orshansk Jewish Com- 
mittee for relieving the poor. 

90. Orekhov Branch of the Simferopol Com- 

mittee for helping victims of 
the war. 

91. Ostroff Branch of the Pskoff Jewish 

Committee for aiding victims 
of the war. 

92. Penza Jewish Committee for rendering 

aid to victims of the war. 

93. Periaslav, Government of Poltava Jewish Philanthropic Commit- 

tee for aiding the poor. 

94. Perm Branch of the Society for giving 

aid to refugees, connected 
with the Committee for ren- 
dering aid to the Jewish 
population. 

95. Petrozavodsk Bureau of the Petrozavodsk Jew- 

ish Synagogue. 

96. Piristin, Government of Poltava Jewish Committee for rendering 

aid to Jews, who have suffered 
from the war. 

97. Polotsk, Government of Vitebsk Jewish Society for helping vic- 

tims of the war. 



32 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

98. PoltavaT Jewish Society for helping war 

victims of Poltava. 

99. Porchov Porchov Branch of the Pskoff 

Jewish Committee. 

100. Porchep, Government of Chemigoff Society for helping poor Jews. 

101. Priluky Temporary Committee for ren- 

dering aid to the Jews, who 
have stifEered from the war. 

102. Proskuroff, Government of Podolya Society for helping indigent 

Jews. 

103. Pskofif Society for helping the victims 

of the war. 

104. Rovna Committee for aiding the Jew- 

ish population, who have 
stifiered from the war. 

105. Rogacheff, Govenmient of Moghilev Society for helping indigent 

Jews. 

106. Romny, Government of Poltava Committee for helping Jews, 

who have been expelled from 
the war zone. 

107. Rostoff on the Don Jewish Committee for giving 

relief to refugees. 

108. Ribinsk Jewish Committee for aiding 

refugees in the City of 
Ribinsk. 

109. Reshytza Committee for temporary relief 

to Jewish refugees, who have 
settled in Reshjrtza. 

110. Ryazan Committee for relieving the 

wounded and sick. 

111. Samarkand Jewish Spiritual Bureau. 

112. Samara Jewish Temporary Committee 

for relief to the victims of 
the war. 

113. Saratov Jewish Committee for relieving 

the victims of the war. 

114. Sebezh Sebezh Branch of the Vitebsk 

^ Committee for giving relief 

to the Jewish population. 

115. Sebastopol Committee for helping Jews, 

who have suffered from the 
war. 

116. Serdebsk Social Service Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

117. Simferopol Jewish Committee for relieving 

victims of the war. 

118. Smolensk Commission for raising sub- 

scriptions in the Government 
of Smolensk. 

119. Smorgon The Smorgon Branch of the 

Vilna Jewish Society for ren- 
dering aid to the Jewish 
Population. 

120. Staraya Russa Jewish Committee for aiding 

war victims. 

121. Staraya Ushitza, Govenmient of Podolia. .Savings and Loan Associations. 

122. Stavropol Committee for rendering aid to 

Jewish population, who are 
suffering from the war. 

123. Starodub, Government of Chemigoff Bureau of the Jewish Society 

for aiding the poor. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 33 

124. Starokonstantinoff, Government of 

Volhynia Jewish Committee for rendering 

aid to the sufferers from the 
war. 

125. Taganrog, Territory of the Don Cossacks . . Jewish Committee for raising 

subscriptions in aid of the 
Jews, who have suffered from 
the war. 

126. Tambov ■ Jewish Committee for aiding 

war victims. 

127. Tatarsk Jewish Circle for helping war 

victims. 

128. Tifiis Commission for aiding poor 

Jews; connected with the 
Tifliz Jewish Philanthropic 
Society. 

129. Tomsk Jewish Social Bureau of the 

Synagogue. 

130. Toropetz, Government of Pskoff Branch of the Pskoff Com- 

mittee for aiding poor Jews. 

131. Troitsk, Government of Orenburg Temporary Jewish Commitee 

for aiding the Jewish popu- 
lation, who are suffering from 
the war. 

132. Ttmien, Government of Tobolsk Jewish Social Service Btueau. 

133. Ufa Jewish Temporary Committee 

for aiding the Jewish popu- 
lation, who are suffering from 
the war. 

134. Kharkoff Jewish Committee for aiding 

war victims. 

135. Kherson Commission for rendering aid 

to poor Jews, suffering from 
the war. 

136. Khorol, Government of Poltava Society for rendering aid to 

Jewish war victims. 

137. Khotin, Government of Bessarabia Society for rendering aid to 

Jewish war victims. 

138. Chelyabinsk, Government of Orenburg . . . Society for rendering aid to 

Jewish war victims. 

139. Chemovka, Government of Moghilev Jewish Philanthropic Society. 

140. Chemigoff Jewish Philanthropic Society. 

141. Chita Committee of the Bakaul So- 

ciety for rendering aid to the 
poor. 

142. Yaroslavl Jewish Relief for refugees. 



Lists of Correspondents of the Committees, who are serving the needs 
of Jewish refugees in places where there are no committees. 

1. Avdieevka, Government of Yekaterinoslav. Isaac Danielovich Goraolsky. 

Moses Davidovich Drozd. 
Chayim Gorbunoff. 

2. Oktubinock, Territory of Thurgovia C. J. Lifshitz. 

3. Alexandropol, Government of Erivan J. A. Levin. 

4. Alshovo, Government of Ufa Moses Vorisovitsh Grinhaus. 

5. Aleshky, Government of Taurida Rabbi Dilfer. 

6. Andiszan, Territory of Fergansk M. B. Raskin. 



34 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 

21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 

26. 
27. 

28. 
29. 

30. 

31. 
32. 
33. 
34. 
35. 
36. 
37. 
38. 

39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 

44. 
45. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 



Arzamass, Government of Nizhni-Novgo- 
rod The Rabbi. 

Anniansk, Government of Taurida Rabbi K. L. Magid. 

Archangel I. M. Ulansky. 

Barguzin, Territory of Baikal A. C. Novemeisky. 

Bamatil, Government of Tomsk P. A. Chaminsky. 

Bar, Government of Podolia Abram Lvovich Kvacha. 

Biriutsch, Government of Voronezh J. Geiger. 

Blaboveshchensk, Territory of Amour Rabbis Ginsburg and Lupinsky. 

Bobr, Government of Moghilev M. F. Brumberg. 

Bogotol, Government of Tomsk Isiah Gudovitsh Yelevitsh. 

Boguchar, Government of Voronezh B. L. Brook. 

Bragin, Govenunent of Minsk M. B. Levin. 

Bryansk, Government of Orel K. P. Voytensky, Dentist. 

Byelaya-Tserkov, Government of Kieff Rabbi G. Kopshtik, 

Jonah Grinsberg, 
B. Fried enberg. 

Valk, Government of Livonia Rabbi Masliansky. 

Valuyky, Government of Voronezh B. A. Feldman. 

Vasilkoff, Government of Kieff L. Meshinsky. 

Velisch, Government of Vitebsk U. L. Vojrtinsky. 

Vinnitza, Government of Podolia Communal Rabbi Z. N. Krup- 

nitzky. 

Vladiovostok, Territory of Primorsk Rabbi Skidelsky. 

Vladikavkaz I. Ladizhensky and Rabbi L. 

Tulman. 

Vladimir- Volinsk L- J. Stochek. 

Voznesensk, Government of Kherson A. S. Brodsky and Rabbi 

Zemsky. 
Voznesenskya-Rudy, Government of Ye- 

katerinoslav M. S. Matzkevitsh. 

Vorklany, Government of Vitebsk D. A. Rubin. 

Vorozhba, Government of Kharkoff B. Malvitzky. 

Voronovitzy, Government of Podolia J. Gudkin. 

Votkino, Government of Vyatka S. Dubvin. 

Vitegra, Government of Olonetzk Parizheskaya. 

Vyazma, Government of Smolensk I. J. Himmelstein. 

Vyema, Territory of Samarcand R. M. Blager. 

Genitschesk, Government of Taurida S. J. Pergament and I. B. 

Golansky. 
St. Golaya-Pristan, Government of Taurida.G. P. Vitker. 

Gorodok A. Stann. 

Grishino, Government of Yekaterinoslav. . Dr. A. Katz. 
Derbent, Territory of Dagestan J- L. Marcus. 



Grozny, Territory of Ter. 



Dmitriev, Govenmient of Kxu-sk. . . 
St. Dno, Government of Pskoff .... 
Dubna, Government of Volhynia. . . 
St. Dubrovka, Government of Orel 
Yekaterinburg, Government of Perm 
Eletz, Government of Orel 



. .Communal Rabbi I. L. Rodo- 

mishersky. 
. .V. S. Ziman, Dispenser. 

. .A. J. Alperrovitsh. 
. . Rass. 

. . L. L. Pievovarov. 
. . L. I. Dukolsky and Gerstein. 
, . .R. M. Sum and Communal 
Rabbi. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 35 

50. Yenotayevesk, Government of Astrakhan. I. Luria. 

51. Zlobin, Government of Moghilev 

52. Zalovozhye-Kamenskoye, Government of 

Yekaterinoslav L. A. Ginsburg. 

53. Zaraysk, Government of Ryazan M. I. Krakinofsky. 

54. Ivanovo-Voznesensky, Government of 

Vladimir L. L. Bernstein, Dispenser, 

L. Berkman. 

55. Irbit, Government of Perm S. E. Katznelson. 

56. Kazan Attorney Blatt and Dr. R. A. 

Luria. 

57. Kamenetz-Podolsk Moses Yakovlavitsch Shukrot, 

Levy-Isaac Jeselovitsch Star- 
nik. 

58. Kamentzkoye-Zaporozhye, Government of 

Yekaterinoslav Amnuel. 

59. Kamischen, Government of Saratoflf B. V. Huziz. 

60. Karacheflf, Govenmient of Orel S. E. Genkin. 

61. Kata-Kurgan S. M. Druch. 

62. Khirsanoff, Government of Tambov B. N. Renzin. 

63. Kobelyaky, Government of Poltava Z. I. Kogan. 

64. Kovel, Government of Volhynia Dr. Feinstein. 

65. Kozloflf, Government of Tambov V. L Luria. 

66. Kharond, Territory of Fergansk G. L. Zeidel. 

67. Kopil, Government of Minsk 

68. Kopis, Government of Moghilev Z. Lifshitz and G. Godin. 

69. Koretz, Government of Volhynia Dr. M. Fish. 

70. Kortoff, Government of Voronezh N. Dershenson. 

71. Gorotoyak, Government of Voronezh A. M. Mrust. 

72. Gochanova, Government of Voronezh L. S. Glezin. 

73. Grasnoyarsk, Government of Yenisseisk . . T. Frankfurt and Dr. Grace. 

74. Greslovka, Government of Vitebsk T. Z. Rabinowitz. 

75. Krichev, Government of Moghilev A. S. Notkin. 

76. Krupsky, Government of Moghilev M.N. Luria. 

77. Krusha, Government of Moghilev A. B. Freedman. 

78. Kungur, Government of Perm L. Rubinson. 

79. Kurgan, Government of Tobolsk A. L. Kamber. 

80. Kutayis Aaron Patyyashevili, Isaac Yeii- 

goloff. 

81. Lebedyan, Government of Tambov Dispenser, I. C. Fagin. 

82. Levno, Government of Moghilev S. Gurevitsch. 

83. Lenkoran A. Z. Yampolsky, I. M. Brisk- 

man. 

84. Lozovaya, Government of Yekaterinoslav. Itin, G. E. Frishman. 

85. Lozovaya-Povlovka, Government of Yeka- 

terinoslav S. G. Robzman, 

M. Krasnoshtcheky. 

86. Lubomil, Government of Volhynia Rabbi Selk. 

87. Ludinka, Government of Orel F. I. Blumkin. 

88. Lutzin, Goverimient of Vitebsk R. I. Chenin. 

89. Malaya-Visher, Government of Novgorod. Z. S. Gutkin. 

90. Mariinsk, Government of Tomsk M.J. Vlinchevisky. 

91. Markuleshty, Government of Bessarabia. S. Gillels. 



36 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

92. Menzelensk, Government of Ufa Mettler. 

93. Meritsch, Government of Vilna I. M. Solovay. 

94. Mir, Government of Minsk Rabbi E. B. Kamay. 

95. Mokshansk, Government of Penza Druggist Rozen. 

96. Monastirshchina, Government of Moghilev. Teacher Erkin. 

97. Marshansk, Government of Tambov E. B. Natelson. 

98. Matislavl, Government of Moghilev J. Z. Luzner and Rabbi P. 

Pruskin. 

99. Miena, Government of Chemigoff I. Ginsburg, Medviedev. 

100. Nizhnedneprovsk, Govenmient of Yekater- 

inoslav B. Stifanovsky. 

101. Novgorod A. Kviatkofsky. 

102. Novogeorgievsk, Government of Kherson. S. W. Khasanoff. 

103. Novozibkov, Government of Chemigoff. . .Rabbi Chain; Pevzonar; Ra- 

phael Itzchonin. 

104. Novomirgorod, Government of Yekaterino- 

slav Rabbi A. M. Reznichenko. 

105. Novomoskof sk, Government of Yekaterino- 

slav Dr. Gluckman; Rabbi Rudin. 

106. Novosolniky, Suburb of Pskoff D. C. Voykhotofsky. 

107. Nogaysk, Government of Taurida J- N. Ravich. 

108. Nezhin, Government of Chemigoff A. J. Goldin. 

109. Obchuga, Govemment of Moghilev A. Liebster. 

110. Omsk Commtmal Rabbi Bassin. 

111. Orel M. J. Lonstein, Rabbi J. B. 

Katznelson. 

112. Orenburg Rabbi Z. Kolender. 

113. Ostrogozhsk, Govemment of Yekaterino- 

slav L. E. Rivlin. 

114. Pavlograd, Govemment of Yekaterinoslav.Rabbi Byelenky. 

115. Pask, Govemment of Voronesh P- J- Smolansky. 

116. Petrofsk, Territory of Dagestan Communal Rabbi Goldstein. 

117. Porchov, Govemment of Pskofif G. Diershkevitch. 

118. Pochep, Govemment of Chemigoff L. L. Ebiroff. 

119. Radomishl, Govemment of Kieff Rabbi Schnaiersohn. 

120. Rokoff, Govemment of Minsk Rabbi Kalmanovitch. 

121. Rzhev, Govemment of Tver Dispenser E. B. Packman. 

122. Romanovo, Govemment of Moghilev J. M. Edetkind. 

123. Rostoff, Govemment of Yaroslav G. Luria. 

124. Rudnya, Govemment of Moghilev E. I. Salkind. 

125. Rutky, Government of Moghilev I. I. Gingefeld. 

126. Rezhytza, Govemment of Vitebsk Rabbi Pollack. 

127. Semenovka, Govemment of Poltava Rabbi A. D. Teleschefsky. 

128. Semypalatinsk K. Rabinowitz, 

129. Simbirsk Communal Rabbi Klein. 

130. Slavyany, Govenmient of Minsk I. S. Zeitling. 

131. Slutzk, Govemment of Minsk M. G. Granat, Mrs. E, S. 

Skulkrot. 

132. Soltzy, Govenmient of Pskoff B. Lieberman. 

133. Sosnitza, Govemment of Chemigoff C. I. Yuschansky. 

134. Spassk, Govemment of Tambov C. S. Rubinstein. 

135. Staritza, Govemment of Tver Isaih Moiseevitsh Lipsk. 

136. Suzhinitzy Lef Zeitlein. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 37 

137. Susheva, Suburb M. A. Charosh. 

138. Sizran, Government of Simbirsk Communal Rabbi Peter. 

139. Sienno, Government of Moghilev G. Rubinstein. 

140. Tashkent Engineer Pasman, S. M. Lub- 

linsk}'. 

141. Tver Abraham Grigoryavitsh Dia- 

mond. 

142. Temir-Khan-Shura, Territory of Dagestan. Dispenser I. Gurexitsh. 

143. Timkovichy, Government of Minsk Rabbi Arisoflf. 

144. Tiraspol, Government of Kherson Dentist M. D. Grozman. 

145. Tikhvin, Government of Novgorod Rabbi Elson. 

146. Torzhok, Government of Tver Abel Abramovitz Kadish. 

147. Tula Attorney Boris Osipovitsh. 

148. Uglich, Government of Jaroslav Naum Yakovlevitch Gologor- 

sky. 

149. Uman, Government of Kieflf Rabbi Kantorschik. 

150. Uman, Government of Tambov Aleinikoff, N. B. Nichell. 

151. Fastov, Government of Kieff Chafitz. 

152. Chislovitsky, Govenunent of Moghilev Dr. L. Rabinowitz. 

153. Tzaritzin, Government of Saratov B. Z. Rabinowitz, Dr. J. D. 

Vilensky. 

154. Chembar, Government of Penza Engineer Zoldes. 

155. Cherkassy, Govenmient of Kieff Rabbi Silverman. 

156. Chemigofka, Govenmient of Moghilev... .N. Z. Goldstein. 

157. Schklov, Government of Moghilev L. Niskovitsh. 

158. Schuya, Government of Vladimir Druggist U. A. Voloff. 

159. Usofka, Government of Yekaterinoslav. . . .Mr. Stroyanoffsky. 

160. Uyefsky Zavod Kisselefsky 



38 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

REPORT OF MARCH 1, 1916. 



The Jewish Committee for the Rehef of the Victims of War has the honor 
of submitting to the Special Conference the following data taken from the 
books of the Committee, showing its financial status and characterizing the 
scope and volume of activity of the Jewish Committee. 

The problems of the Committee are explained in detail in the report sub- 
mitted to the Conference in November, 1915. These problems include not 
only assistance to war refugees but also assistance to people suffering various 
needs owing to the war, and, among others, help to families of men called to 
service, relief to maimed and wounded soldiers and the care of families of soldiers 
fallen in battle. However, as it will be seen below, it became imperative to 
use almost all of the Committee's funds to relieve the sufferings of refugees, 
this need having become of first importance. This necessity has put aside 
the realization of other aims of the Committee until the time when the Govern- 
ment takes into its own hands the care of relieving the sufferings of refugees, 
thus releasing the Committee from the expenditures necessary for the settlement 
of these unfortunates, expenditures too heavy for a philanthropic organization. 

The Committee's sources of income consist of: (1) philanthropic funds, 
including one-time contributions, monthly contributions and collections derived 
from voluntary self-taxation of the Jewish population (5 per cent, of the budget 
of expenditures); (2) subsidies from the Special Conference and (3) con- 
tributions for a special purpose, chiefly for the organization of a fund for the 
rebuilding of homes and for the care of families of soldiers killed in war. 

The accounts of the Jewish Committee up to January 1st, 1916, and from 
January 1st to March 1st, 1916, show the following data: 

The sum total of expenditures by the Committee since the beginning of 
its actvities in September, 1914, up to January 1st, 1916, is 5,290,381 . 90 Roubles. 

This amount includes the sums expended by the Committee, but not in- 
cluding the sums assigned by the Committee to various local philanthropic 
institutions, requested after January 1st, 1916, or laid out for the Central 
Committee and subject to reimbursement. 

Up to January 1st, 1916, the books of the Committee show an income 
of 5,709,188.47 R., from which sum up to August 13th, 1915, that is the day 
of the enforcement of the rule concerning the Special Conference in regard to 
the organization of refugees, have entered the sums: (a) two grants from the 
Council of Ministers, 500,000 R. each, a reimbursement of sums expended 
for relief work, a total of 1,000,000 R., and (b) an assignment by the Special 
Conference in September 500,000 R., in December 1,300,000 R., a total amount 
of 1,800,000 R. The rest, that is 2,909,188.47 R., has been received through 
philanthropic contributions made to the Jewish Committee of Petrograd. 

It is necessary to state that the Jewish Committee of Petrograd, as a Central 
Committee, does not receive, directly, any contributions from the Committee of 
Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna (regarding assign- 
ments to organizations devoted to the needs of refugees, as the Society for the 
Spread of Education among Jews and the Society for the Safe-Guarding of the 
Health of the Jewish Population, these items will be explained in the paragraph 
regarding the educational and medico-sanitary assistance given to Jewish 
refugees.) 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 39 

The income entered into the books of the Committee up to January 1st, 
1916, consists of the following sums: 

1. Contributions and Collections: 
(a.) In the City of Petrograd: 

Single Contributions R. 769,522.77 

Monthly Contributions 207,682. 19 

Self-Taxation 216,027.72 

R.l, 193,232. 68 

(b.) Collected in different localities out- 
side of Petrograd: 

Single Contributions R. 811,904.38 

Monthly Contributions 89,933 . 82 

R. 2,095,070.88 

2. Grants from the Government: 

From the Council of Ministers R. 1,000,000.00 

From the Special Conference on the 

organization of refugees 1,800,000.00 

■_ ■ -_ 2,800,000.00 

3. Contributions received from individuals and institutions 

in Russia and abroad, donated for the rebuilding 

of homes, the realization of various aims, etc 777,560.53 

4. Interest on the current accoimt 19,995.70 

5. Collected from District Committees, but not entered 

as yet 16,561 . 36 

Total R. 5,709,188.47 



Disbursements up to January 1, 1916: 

1. ReHef to the population of Poland (detailed data 

has been submitted to the Special Conference in the 

report, dated November 1, 1915) R. 1,067,100.09 

2. To organizations of the north-western part of 

Russia, before the evacuation of the population. . 84,245.00 

3. ReHef to refugees and emigrants and expenses for 

their evacuation: 

(a.) Before their settling in the 

Provinces of the rear. . . R. 1,446,779.76 
(b.) In the places of Settlement . 1,488,206.91 

2,934,986.67 

4. Rehef to the local population 37,793 . 40 

5 Relief to Jews of invaded Galicia (by permission of 

. the Government) 185,400.00 

6. Relief to refugees from Syria and Palestine 11,000.00 

7. Individual relief (to rabbis and individuals) 38,831 .70 

8. Securing work for refugees (through the Society 

for Manual and Agricultural Labor among Jews 

and other associations) ■ 132,045.00 

9. ReHef in Petrograd, including relief given to wounded 

soldiers, to families of reservists and refugees m _ nc -k 

Petrograd, the making of linen for refugees 160,896,/ 5 

10. To the Society for Safe-Guarding the Health of 

the Jewish population and for medico-sanitary 

assistance given to refugees r^ i>' o0,U0U.0O 

11. Medical and feeding expeditions (mcludmg 1,000 R. 

to the Red Cross in Warsaw) • ■ • 41,bJU.. lo 

12. Assistance given bv making loans through savmgs 

and loan banks (see report of November 1, 191o) „-., „^ ^ 

and other institutions zoj.suu.uu 



Carried 



forward R. 4.996,788.70 



40 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Brought forward R. 4,996,788.76 

13. For educational purposes 45,090 . 00 

14. For the making of unleavened bread for the coming 

Passover 23,500.00 

15. Expenditures of the Organization, including the 

maintenance of the Registration and Information 

Bureaus (see below) 58,436.49 

16. Salary to executives, traveling expenses, etc. (see 

below) 136,160. 14 

17. Supplementary and incidental expenses 30,406.51 

Total amount of expenditures R. 5,290,381. 90 

For the months of January and February the current 
accounts show the following sums: 

INCOME: 

January : 

Grant from the Special Confer- 
ence R. 500,000.00 

Contributions _ 85,418 . 86 

Contributions for special purposes. 74,677.60 

On hand with the District Com- 
mittees 6,953.00 

Reimbursement of loans to the 
Petrograd Society of Relief 
to the Poor, for the needs of 

families of reser\ists 15,000.00 

R. 682,049.46 

February : 

Contributions R. 93,433.79 

Contributions for special purposes. 55,321 . 15 

On hand with the District Com- 
mittees 3,361 . 00 

Reimbursement of loans 19,908.00 

172,023.95 

Total for 2 months, up to March 1st R. 854,073.41 



DISBURSEMENTS: 

January : 

To local Committees, for relief to 

refugees R. 277,328.00 

To the Committee of the District 

of Kiefi 82,332.00 

Relief to Jews of the Province of 

Tamopol, GaHcia 50,000 . 00 

Assistance through work given. . . . 13,150.00 

To the Society for the Protection 
of Women, for the making of 
linen 10,400.00 

Appropriations for needs in Petro- 
grad 12,322.46 

Individual relief and loans 9,105.00 

General expenses 10,707 . 20 

Salary to executives 11,536.59 

For the making of unleavened 

bread for Passover 94,230.00 

Carried forward ■ R. 571,111.25 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 41 

Brought forward R. 571 1 1 1 25 

February : 

Assistance to Committees for the 

needs of refugees R. 348,763.00 

To the Committee of the District 

of Moscow 50,000.00 

To the Committee of the District 

of Kieflf 25,000.00 

To the Society for Safe-Guarding 
the Health of the Jewish Popu- 
lation for medico-sanitary 
measures 15,000 . 00 

To the Society for the Protection 
of Women, for the making of 
linen.... 12,000.00 

To organizations for meeting needs 

in Petrograd 26,912.84 

Relief to refugees from Syria and 

Palestine 4,975. 11 

Relief and loans to individuals 9,331 .60 

General expenses 11,521 .58 

Salaries to executives 12,143.70 

Miscellaneous 5,620.00 

For the making of unleavened 

bread 75,900.00 

597,167.83 

Total for two months R. 1,168,279.08 

Grand Total of Income up to March 1, 

1916 R. 6,563,281. 88 

Expenses 6,458,660.98 

Balance R. 107,620.90 

If from the sum expended 6,458,660.98 

Is deducted the sum received from the 

Government, namely . 3,300,000.00 

It will be noticed that the Central Jewish 
Committee alone has expended con- 
tributed funds to the amount of 3,158,660.98 

Including donations for special purposes: 

Up to January the sum of 777,560 . 53 

In January 74,677.60 

In February 55,321 . 16 

R. 907,559.29 

From which sum on March 1st the Committee only had. . . R. 104,600.90 

Into the total of expenses enter also expenditures of a kind which could 
not be defined as expenses for the relief to refugees and sums spent on assisting 
the Jewish population of that part of Galicia which was occupied by military 
forces. But if the sums expended in September, 1915, for all forms of relief 
of refugees provided for by the rule of August 30th, 1915, are added up. 
they will show a total of R. 4,348,831; to cover which during that period 
has been received from loans of the Special Conference the st:m of R. 2,300,000; 
and, therefore, from the philanthropic funds of the Committee of Petrograd 
alone has been expended for the needs of refugees the sum of R. 2,048,831. 



42 Reports Received hy Joint Distribution Committee. 

Part of this sum was spent from money donated for special purposes and 
must be counted as constituting the debt of the Committee. 

In addition to assistance given to refugees by the Committee of Petrograd, 
their needs were also covered by contributed funds of the Committees of Moscow 
and KiefE and by the funds of the local Jewish Provincial and City Committees. 
The data on hand shows the expenditure of the following charitable funds: 
spent by the Committee of the District of Moscow up to November 1st, 1915, 
approximately 738,000 R.; during November and December, 403,563 R.; during 
January and February, 320,827 R.; a total of more than 1,400,000 R. The 
Committee of the District of KiefE spent up to November 1st, 1915, approximately 
565,000 R. (a printed report is attached hereto) ; from November 1st up to March 
1st, as per data on hand 200,000 R.; expended by the Committee of Riga 
approximately 150,000 R., by Kharkoff up to the present time more than 250,000 
R., in Ekaterinoslav approximately 150,000 R., in the Province of Taurida 
approximately 150,000 R., and spent by other Committees, and, according 
to an approximate but careful account, other Committees have expended not 
less than 1,000,000 R., a total of approximately 3,865,000 R., and added to 
the expenditure of the Committee of Petrograd 3,158,660.98 R. more than 
7,000,000 R. 

In view of these notable and self-sacrificing efforts of philanthropy, a 
further considerable income of contributions, especially in the near future, can- 
not be looked forward to. 



n. 

Detailed information as to the work of organization and as to the activity 
of the Jewish Committee for the relief to victims of the war in Petrograd and 
financial data up to November 1st, 1915, are given in the report submitted 
to the Committee in November, 1915. For the past four months the Com- 
mittee has continued its activity, in all its phases, with the same aims in view, 
while the character of the Committee, as a Central Committee, has in no way 
changed. During the present period of accounting, the Committee had to 
replenish the funds of local committees and organizations whose means could 
not satisfy the crying needs of refugees. The necessity of such replenishment 
is explained by the fact that in many localities, as will be shown in detail below, 
the only source of income for the assistance to refugees were the means of the 
Central Committee. In other localities, where certain assignments were re- 
ceived from rural and city organizations and where such assigments had ceased, 
the supplying of means to satisfy the needs of refugees became the" duty of the 
Central Committee. The local income from charitable donations is becoming 
smaller and smaller, and consequently some localities previously not needing 
the assistance of either the local organizations or the Central Jewish Com- 
mittee, were forced to ask help from these sources of relief. Finally, even 
in those communities where Provincial organizations make provision in their 
budget for the care of Jewish refugees, having no funds, the local Jewish Com- 
mittees were obliged to ask for assistance from the Central Committee, so as 
not to let the Jewish refugees starve. 

The total number of Jewish refugees registered March 1st and up to the 
present time is 185,596, whereas on November 1st were registered approximately 
160,000. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that the number of refugees 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 43 

asking for support is gradually decreasing. As will be seen from the detailed 
bulletin regarding the number of refugees which was attached to the report 
of November 1st, 1915, in some localities it was impossible to secure information 
as to the number of refugees; during the last four months, however, this infor- 
mation has been forthcoming, and this is, to a certain extent, the reason for 
the increase in the numbers of refugees, although even at the present time there 
are a certain number of refugees who are availing themselves of relief, without 
affecting the information at the disposal of the Central Committee. If one 
compares the former data with that on hand at the present time (enclosure 
No. 2), it will be seen that the increase has occurred in the Province of Minsk, 
formerly 22,422, now 23,529, which increase can be explained by the fact that 
the registration increased through a number of refugees removed from the 
theatre of war by military authorities, as for instance from the villages of 
Leachotitshi, Ganzevitshi, etc. 

The Province of Vilna has now 3,166 refugees, where formerly were 1,155. 
The increase is explained by the fact that in November a considerable number 
of refugees who had recently left their communities, had not been registered, 
and, in addition to this, owing to the duration of military activities in a certain 
part of the Province of Vilna, a considerable number of the population have 
voluntarily left their homes. 

There was formerly no information available from the Province of Livonia; 
at the present time there are 2,048 refugees there. 

The Province of Volhynia has registered 520 refugees in November; at the 
present time there are 8,259 registered, all of whom are in utter need; the in- 
crease in the number is explained by military conditions, by the impossibility, 
owing to military activities which prevailed in the Fall, to keep up an accurate 
registration, especially in the District of Rovno. 

In the Province of Ekaterinoslav, according to additional information 
now received, it is seen that the total number of needy refugees is 13,211 instead 
of 10,793 as registered before. 

Additional registration is the reason for the increase in the numbers of 
refugees from 5,368 to 10,842 in the Province of Poltava. 

A small increase in numbers is due to the same cause in the Province of 
Taurida, from 8,350 to 9,074. 

In Kharkofi, formerly 5,337, now 8,021, and in the Province of Tchernigoff 
instead of 671 the number is 1,052, owing to the influx of refugees from 
Volhynia. 

Thus the increase is noted chiefly in provinces touching the south-western 
and north-western front line, whereas in the provinces of the interior the number 
of refugees, notwithstanding additional registration, has changed only very 
little, which fact proves clearly that the number of refugees who are gradually 
settling down is increasing more and more. In some localities, where regis- 
tration has been more complete, this decrease is positively proved by statistics. 
Thus, in the Province of Irkutsk, there are now only 334 needy refugees instead 
of 712 as previously reported. In the Province of Kazan are 1,424 instead of 
1,927. In the Province of Kostroma 770 instead of 825. In the Province of 
Novgorod 456 instead of 677. In the Province of Tver 1,011 instead of 1,070, 
etc. 

The gradual decrease in numbers of those receiving food rations may be 
proved also by other facts. At the present time various Committees covering 



44 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

82 points submitted their reports to the Committee. These reports show that 
not all the refugees avail themselves of food rations, the percentage of those 
taking advantage of rations wavering between 100 and 60, that out of the 
total number of 63,247 registered refugees only 52,989 receive the food ration, 
which is 84 per cent., notwithstanding the fact that all the refugees are 
registered and avail themselves of assistance of one sort or another. 

Data in the possession of the Committee shows that the element of refugees 
at the present time still needing the food ration is somewhat changing, independent 
of the fact that the total number has decreased owing to the fact that a 
certain number of refugees, who formerly had in many localities received these 
rations, have now more or less settled down, having secured work, whereas others, 
who formerly did not need the assistance of local Committees, having spent 
their last means, have now to ask for support. 

At the present time the work of compiling statistical data from the mass 
of material at the disposal of the Bureau of Inquiry attached to the Central 
Committee (see below), in order to determine the class of Jewish refugees, is 
now being completed. But even now, the data on hand shows clearly that 
the largest contingent of refugees consists of people incapable of work, of women 
and children. Men capable of work form only 10 to 18 per cent. This accounts 
for the fact that from the total amotmt of 450,000 Jews who left their homes, 
only 185,596 are taken care of by Committees. 

Concerning the sources of income for the covering of needs of refugees, the 
points of activity of the Jewish Committees are divided into the following 
Districts: 

(1) Provinces of the northwestern front line, Vikia, Vitebsk, Livonia, 
Minsk, Moghilev, have a total of 53,534 refugees. Here the refugees, with 
exceptions which will be shown in time, are cared for by the Central Committee 
exclusively. Another peculiarity of this District is that more than half of 
their total number were not able to find shelter in lodgings maintained for 
refugees. In order to house these refugees, every available building has been 
occupied, as for instance, temples and public halls, school houses, and Talmud- 
Toras, and, therefore, the expense for these lodgings, their heating, lighting 
and furnishing is comparatively small, on the other hand although the medico- 
sanitary expense is large. At the same time, in spite of all the care taken, one 
cannot say that the sanitary conditions of refugees in these provinces is what it 
ought to be and further measures must necessarily be taken. 

(2) Provinces of the southwestern front line, which in turn are divided 
into two categories: (a) the Provinces of Ekaterinoslav, Poltava, Taurida, 
Kharkoff, with a total of 41,148 refugees and (b) the Provinces of Bessarabia, 
VoUiynia, Kiefi, Podolia and Tchemigoflf, with a total of 16,836 refugees, the 
total of the entire District being 57,984. The first group receives the means 
for food and lodgings (heated) from the local rural and city organizations; these 
means are, however, not sufficient to cover the needs of the great number of 
refugees. The second group receives very scant means from rural organizations, 
and the matter of caring for Jewish refugees becomes wholly the duty of the 
Committee of the District of Kieff, which is spending its philanthropic ftmds 
for this purpose and has to ask for assistance from the Central Jewish Com- 
mittee. Clothing and shoes are provided entirely by the national organization. 
As to the question of housing the refugees, it will also be necessary to differ- 
entiate both above-named categories, the first as being able to solve more 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 45 

satisfactorily the problem of housing, except in the case of certain points, as 
for instance in the town of Mariupol, and, therefore, needing larger grants. 

(3) Provinces of the interior or of the rear have a total of 74,078 refugees. 
In these Provinces, with certain exceptions, which will be shown in time, the 
greatest part of the means necessary for providing food and lodgings to refugees 
is supplied through funds assigned for the general needs of these Provinces. 
The accounts of the last four months diflfer greatly from those previously rendered, 
when the Circular of the Department of Police which was later revoked, was 
still in force which stated that all Jewish refugees should be cared for by 
the Jewish Committee of Petrograd exclusively. But here also in some Provinces, 
as for instance, in the Province of Kursk, which did not enter at all into the 
united rural organizations, partly in the Provinces of Tula, Kaluga and Nizhni 
Novgorod, as well as in certain Districts of the Province of Voronezh, the care 
of Jewish refugees depends wholly upon the local Jewish Committees, which 
in turn receive their funds from the Moscow Society for the Relief to the Victims 
of War, which, having spent considerable sums from its philanthropic funds, 
was obliged to ask for assistance from the Central Jewish Committee of Petro- 
grad. 

As the Statutes worked out by the Special Conference and now approved by 
the Minister of the Interior are not enforced as yet, many vital needs have been 
relieved by the Central Committee and the Committee of Moscow, who acted 
through other Jewish organizations; The Society for the Spread of Education 
Among Jews, the Society for the Safeguarding of the Health of the Jewish Popu- 
lation and the Society for Manual and Agricultural Labor Among Jews, whose 
requirements — educational, medico-sanitary and labor — ^have been met by the 
Committees of Petrograd and Moscow. 

The cost of the food ration supplied from the funds of local Committees 
as well as from those of the Central Committee, does not exceed the general 
average established for a given Province, which is the average of 20 k., but is 
also rarely below the minimum average of 15 k. As will be seen from the data 
in the possession of the Central Committee, almost everywhere there exists 
a system of reducing the average cost of the food ration with the increased num- 
. bers of members in one family. 

It is understood that in all instances where the needs of refugees are supplied 
by united organizations, rural and city organizations, the general average is in 
force. The general average does also exist in those few localities of the north- 
western front line, where city organizations supplied the food ration in actual 
foodstuffs, but also in cases where, as for instance, in Minsk, the food rations 
are supplied almost exclusively from funds of the Jewish Committee, the cost 
of the ration does not exceed the average of 15 k. per individual, in spite of the 
fact that, owing to the scruples of Jews who eat only the so-called "kosher" 
meat, the meat is more expensive, and consequently the quantity of consumed 
meat is considerably lower than the general average, and nowhere exceeds the 
amount of j lb. per adult. 

(Note.— A typical food ration is tlie one supplied by the Jewish Committee of 
Astrakhan, which consists of i lb. meat, U lb. bread, tea and two lumps of 
sugar, J lb. potatoes and | lb. cereal.) 

As to the question of housing, this problem remains unsolved in the Provinces 
of the Interior. In certain localities, as in Nizhni Novgorod, Penza, Orenburg 
and others, up to the present time, a considerable number of refugees are housed 



46 Reports Received hy Joint Distribution Committee. 

en masse, the finding of separate lodgings being an impossibility. The transfer 
of some of these refugees to other localities must be given considerable 
thought, as, aside from the danger in regard to sanitation and the pernicious 
moral influence, the care of a considerable number of people herded together 
and the very possibility of organizing them and bringing them back to work 
is made doubly difficult. Experience has shown that refugees living in separate 
lodgings settle down to some kind of business or work more quickly. The 
living of refugees en masse demands, therefore, considerable moneys, by far 
exceeding the expense necessary either for the evacuation of refugees or even 
for the organization of special lodgings. 

The problem of supplying refugees with warm clothing and shoes is almost 
impossible to solve. In its report of November last, the Central Committee 
calculated that 75 per cent, of the total number of refugees must be supplied 
with clothing and shoes. The experience of the last four months shows 
that more than 60 per cent, need clothing and that all accounts con- 
cerning the cost of making shoes and warm clothing could not justify them- 
selves. At the present time the Central Committee is unable to submit accurate 
data regarding the number of individuals who have availed themselves of clothing 
as well as of the number of pieces of clothing distributed among refugees. The 
local riural and city organizations have only in very rare instances assisted the 
Jewish Committees; for this purpose sums received from these organizations, 
owing to their insignificance, cannot influence average conclusions. Further 
will be submitted accounting data of the different aspects of relief work done 
up to March 1st, 1916, dividing the time into periods from Nov. 1st, 1915, to 
Jan. 1st, 1916, and from January up to March 1st, and further, in view of the 
enforcement of new rules concerning the drawing up of budgets by national 
organizations, the needs for the current month of March will be enumerated. 



ID- 
FOOD SUPPLY. 

In assigning to local Committees funds for the distribution of food rations, . 
the Central Committee is guided by detailed reports submitted by local Com- 
mittees, in which are pointed out the number of refugees, the cost of the ration 
and the means through which the demand can be supplied — either in money or 
in actual foodstuffs. In these reports are shown the sources from which the 
need of rations can be supplied, and in every report are also mentioned the 
possible local philanthropic funds which could be used for the relief to refugees. 
The refugees of the northwestern and southwestern front line are almost all 
supplied with food rations. Up to the present time the provinces of the north- 
western front line are not supplied with rations by the united organizations, and 
it was only in the months of Januaiy and February that the Northern Relief 
Society donated 50,000 R. for the needs of refugees in the Province of Minsk. 
In its report of December 1st, 1915, the Committee gave detailed data as to the 
funds needed for the refugees of that District. As to the provinces of the south- 
western front line, some of these, as mentioned above, are partly supplied with 
means to cover the need for food rations by local rural and city organizations — 
the other provinces, — those of Kieff, Volhynia, Podolia and Tchernigoff, — 
are supplied with food rations from funds of the Committee of Kieff exclusively. 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 47 

which at the present time, having expended all its philanthropic resources, covers 
the needs from sums granted by the Central Committee. 

(Note. — The Chief Executive of the southwestern provinces, Prince N. P. 
UrussoflF, has stated at the meeting of the Specal Conference that funds for the 
needs of Jewish refugees had not been granted to him.) 

As will be seen from detailed reports, the Committee has appropriated the 
following sums for the supply of food to refugees: 

1. In November and December, 1915; 

(a) In the districts of provinces of both front lines, cover- 
ing 181 points, with a total of 98,944 refugees R. 44,5,030.00 

Expended from this sum for the supply of food to refugees 
in the City of Minsk and Province of Minsk, for the 
supply of food to 21,509 refugees in the City of Minsk 
and its Districts 186,128 . 00 

In the City of Dvinsk, for 7,120 refugees, part of whom 
have received actual food stuffs from the stores of the 
Union of Cities 34,000.00 

In the Province of Taurida, for the needs of refugees living 
in ten different cities of the Province, 9,074 refugees; 
an appropriation was called for as the local rural Com- 
mittee did not allow food rations in every cit}^ 35,000.00 

In the Province of Ekaterinoslav, for the needs of 13,211 
refugees in 21 towns, also on account of lack of sys- 
tematic supply from rural organizations 24,152.00 

In the Province of Poltava, for the needs of 10,842 refugees 

in 17 points, owing to the same cause 29,700.00 

Here it is necessary to state that in all the above 
named Provinces considerable sums for the supply of 
food to refugees are expended from public funds, 
collected by local Committees. 

The District Committee of Kieff has been assigned in De- 
cember, for supplying food to refugees of the Provinces 
of Kieff, Podolia, Volhynia and Tchemigoff, covering 
50 points with 13,312 refugees, in addition to sums 
expended by the District Committee from philanthropic 
funds, a sum of 35,000.00 

In Riga where there are 2,048 refugees and where at the 
present time, due to military operations there is no 
source from which to supply refugees and as there is 
no assistance forthcoming from the Northern Relief 
Society, was assigned ■ ■ ■ 45,000.00 

(b) In the Eastern Provinces the need for food rations 
was satisfied from means assigned by the Governors and 
expended by rural and city districts, and, therefore, 
the assignments from the Central Committee were not 
so considerable in comparison with those made to the 
districts of the front line. Here the Central Com- 
mittee has spent for November and December 19,158.92 

From funds of the District Committee of Moscow, minis- 
tering to the needs of the Provinces of Tambov, Riazan, 
Kaluga, Voronezh, Orel, Vladimirsk, Nizhni-Novgorod, 
Moscow, Kursk and Tula, was assigned in November, 
65,500 R. and in December, 32,800 R 98,300.00 

The greatest part of those assignments was needed for 
the Province of Nizhni-Novgovod, 23,000 R. The need 
in these Provinces for special appropriations was due 
to the fact that the united organizations, suffering 
from lack of funds, do not give the means necessary 
for the supply of food rations, and in certain localities, 
as for instance in some districts of the Province of 
Voronezh, throughout the Provinces of Kursk and 



48 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Orel, the Jewish refugees do not, up to the present 
time, receive any food rations. Thus in November and 
December, 1915, accounting reports have previously 
been submitted to the Special Conference in November, 
1915, the total of expenditures for the supply of food 

amount to R. 562,488.92 

2. During January and February have been assigned: 

(a) In Provinces of both front lines, whereby the need 
for assignments for the city of Minsk and the Province 
of Minsk has considerably decreased, due to the fact 
that during these two months the Northern Relief 
Society had donated 100,000 R. When in February 
the distribution of provisions from the stores of the 
Union of Cities in Dvinsk discontinued, the assign- 
ments to this city for the last two months in- 
creased, forming during both months a sum of 42,000 R. 
At the exhaustion of philanthropic funds of the District 
Committee of Kieff, ministering to the Provinces of 
Kieff, Podolia, VoUiynia and TchernigofT, an assignment 

of 75,000 R. was needed 358,178.00 

(b) To the Eastern Provinces were assigned the sums of 

16,137.62 R. in January and 64,783 R. in February.. . . 80,920.62 

And in addition to this the District Committee of Moscow 
has expended 44,850 R. in January, and 33,569 R. in 
February, which sums are subject to reimbursement. . . 78,419.00 

And having received, as shown in tabular form, from the 

Central Committee in February 50,000.00 

Subject to reimbursement 28,419.00 

Were assigned, therefore, to all Eastern Provinces 109,339.62 

Total of assignments for November and December 562,488.92 

Total of assignments for January and February 467,517 . 62 

Thus the total expenditure from November 1st to March 

1st shows the sum of 1,030,006.54 

To cover this expenditure, the Special Conference has fur- 
nished a loan, in November of 200,000 R., in January 

of 500,000 R 700,000.00 

Thus, in order to be able to carry out the budgets for Januarj^ 
and February, an additional sum is needed, amounting 

to 330,006.54 

A detailed report of effected assignments and account 

thereof from both Districts is attached hereto. 
As to the needs for the month of March, the Central Com- 
mittee, has received, as already stated above, more 
than 80 reports, covering more than 80 points. How- 
ever, keeping in view the fact that the new and already 
approved rules concerning the drawing up of budgets 
to be submitted to the Provincial Board of Conferences 
will be enforced in the month of April and that at the 
present time it is impossible to state from what sources 
the needs for food supply will be satisfied in the localities 
from where these reports have been received, the Com- 
mittee does not find it possible to submit these reports 
for the consideration of the Special Committee, these 
reports also needing revision on the part of the 
Committee, and the Committee has therefore to limit 
itself to the following data: 
The Provinces of both front lines having to care for 111,518 
refugees, the food supply has to be distributed to 84 
per cent, of this number, as already stated above, that 
is for 93,675 refugees. Taking the average of the food 
ration at 17 k. per day or 5 R. 10 k. per month, the 
Committee will need for these Provinces a sum of 477,742.50 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 49 

For the distribution of food rations in the eastern Provinces, 
including the District of Moscow, in those locaUties 
where the food ration is not suppHed by the united 
organizations, for the 74,078 refugees, 84 per cent, of 
which makes the number 62,226, counting the cost 
of ration 5 R. 10 k R. 317,352.60 

As at the present time it is not known which of the Com- 
mittees of this District shall receive in March funds 
for the supply of food from united organizations, the 
Committee asks for an advance sum of 200,000.00 

Should the reports submitted to the Committee show that 
the respective Committees have received sums from 
the united organizations, such sums will be counted 
as part of the future April assignments, and shall be 
accounted for in the next report submitted to the 
Committee. Thus, the total of the item "Food Supply" 
for January, February and March, shows the sum of... . 1,007,749.00 



IV. 
SUPPLY OF CLOTHING AND SHOES. 

The funds for the supply of clothing and shoes for refugees are entirely 
supplied through the funds of the Central Committee for the Relief to the Vic- 
tims of War, the Tatiana Committee having donated only small sums in single 
cases; (Kieff has received 10,000 R., Odessa 10,000 R., Ekaterinoslav has 
received 6,000 R. for needy children owing to an epidemic of typhoid fever and 
Kazan has received from the rural Committee 5,000 R.) 

The sums assigned for clothing, shoes and linen up to January, 1916, were 
1,314,647 R., from January to March 1st, 247,394 R., making a total of 
1,561,996 R.* In subtracting from this sum the sum of 100,000 R. used for 
the needs of Jews of Galicia, which sum must not be referred to sums for the 
reHef to refugees (rule of August 30th, 1915), 1,451,996 R. (Reports and Accounts 
covering various Districts are attached hereto.) 

Out of these sums 851,693 R. have been spent for the needs of the Provinces 
of both front lines; the Provinces of the interior required 610,303 R. In 
the first District 410,951 refugees have been cared for, which makes an average 
of 7 R. 7 k. per individual (851,693 R. : 110,951 R.). Data on hand shows that 
from the total number of refugees 65 per cent, were in need of clothing, shoes 
and hnen, that is 72,118 refugees, and, therefore, the average sum spent per 
individual amounts to 11 R. 81 k. The second District has cared for 59,505 
refugees, with an average of 10 R. 25 k. spent per individual; here the per- 
centage of the needy is greater owing to a harsher climate comparing to that 
of the southwestern Provinces. Data on hand shows that here 70 per cent, 
received an average of 14 R. 65 k. per individual. The difference in expenditure 
of these two Districts is partly explained by the fact that in the Provinces of the 
front line the refugees live chiefly in barracks, and, therefore, the need for warm 
clothing could be satisfied in a smaller degree, and that a certain part of that need 
(only in the District of Minsk) a certain amount of warm clothing has been 
received from the Northern Relief vSociety. To satisfy this need the Special 
Council has assigned 100,000,000 R. and thus the sums of the State failed to cover 



* The Governor of the Province of Tarnopol had reported the necessity of 
immediate relief to Jews of that Province. 



50 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

the needs for clothing, shoes and linen for refugees during the months of January 
and February to the amount of 461,996 R. (1,461,996 R. — 1,000,000 R.). 

By order of the Central Committee, the Local Committees are now pre- 
paring detailed reports concerning the supply of clothing, shoes and linen, with 
accurate specifications as to the quantity of pieces of clothing provided and 
the number of refugees supplied with same, with special mention as to the kind 
of pieces of clothing distributed and to what element of refugees, together with 
an accurate account for the expenditure of buying of ready made clothing as well 
as for raw materials and for the labor for making clothing from same and with 
further mention as to what kind of clothing had been made by refugees themselves 
and what remuneration they had received, with all documents covering this 
item attached. At the present time these documents are beginning to come in 
and after they have been received from all the Committees and have been duly 
classified, a detailed report and account will be submitted to the Department 
for the Organization of Refugees. 

At the present time further needs for clothing and shoes have to be satisfied, 
especially do a certain number of the former element of refugees as well as part 
of those who have not been as yet cared for, need linen (from a total of 185,500 
refugees, 170,500 have been cared for as shown above) a total of 15,000. 

Taking the established average of 20 R. a year per individual and counting 
the needy as 60 per cent, (as the refugees are gradually securing work and 
settling down), it will be clear that 60 per cent, out of 185,596 refugees will be 
11,500 and 20 R. per individual will make a total of 2,222,600 R., and as 
1,462,000 R. have already been expended, the further need will be 760,600 R., 
which, divided among 111,000 refugees needing clothing, linen and shoes, will 
show the sum of R. 6.85 per individual. 

Expecting to continue the supply during the current two months, the 
Committee asks for an additional assignment for the month of March for a sum 
of 400,000 R. and thus asks for the items mentioned above for the months of 
January, February and March, as for the budgets already carried out for 
January and February, so for the budget to be carried out in March (461,996 R. 
— 400,000 R.), 861,996 R., while for April another assignment for a sum of 
360,000 R. is expected. 

V. 

HOUSING AND HEATING. 

Assignments for housing and heating received from the Central Committee 
show the sums of: 

(a) In the District of both front lines: 

In November R. 33,690.00 

In December 46,690.00 

Total. R. 80,380.00 

Caring for 69,105 refugees in 87 localities: 

In January R. 33,507.00 

In February 30,207.00 

Total 63,714.00 

Grand Total for four months, November 1st to 

March 1st R. 144,094.00 

that is approximately 50 k. a month per individual. 



Russian J elvish Relief Committee. 51 

The low cost of housing and heating is explained by the 
fact, as shown above, that the greatest part of 
refugees are living in barracks converted into such 
from public buildings, and, therefore, rent not being 
paid. On the other hand it is necessary to take into 
consideration that part of the expenditures is covered 
by funds from local philanthropic institutions, especially 
through the District Committee of Kieflf. 

(b). The expenditure for housing in the eastern Provinces 
during No\'ember and December, will 

amoiuit to R. 22,800.00 

January and February 56,494 . 00 

Total R. 79,294.00 

The insignificance of the sum being explained by the fact 
that in several points the rural and city Committees 
as well as local philanthropic funds have donated 
sums for this need. Thus during four months has been 

spent the total sum of 223,338 . 00 

(Report is attached hereto.) 

To cover this expenditure, the Special Council has in 

November, 1915, an advance sum of 100,000.00 

And thus, in order to cover the expenditures up to March 

1st it is necessary to receive the sum of 124,338 . 00 

As to the question of housing and heating for the month 
of March, having in view that with the coming of 
warmer weather the necessity for separate lodgings for 
refugees will be greater and counting this need as an 
average of 1 R. 25 k. a month per individual, the 
Committee asks for the Provinces of both front lines 
the sum of 140,000.00 

And as to other localities, having in view that a part of 
this need is covered through funds of local organizations, 

the Committee is asking for an advance sum of 100,000.00 

with the understanding that should this item of ex- 
penditure (housing and heating) be covered by rural 
and city organizations, these sums wiU be put on account 
of the respective Committees' future assignments. 



VI. 

MEDICO-SANITARY RELIEF. 

The Committee has already stated to the vSpecial Conference, in its report 
of November, that medico-sanitary relief to refugees is given by the Society 
of Safeguarding the Health of the Jewish Population, which was enabled to do 
this work through funds collected among the population in Petrograd and partly 
in the provinces, expending for medical expeditions and other medico-sanitary 
measures considerable sums of money. Beginning from November, owing to 
the impossibility of organizing separate collections for various needs of refugees, 
and, on the other hand, owing to the exhaustion of philanthropic funds, the 
above named Society has received special assignments from the Committee 
for the ReHef of Victims of the War and has been partly assisted by the Committee 
of Her Highness, Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna. Thus, up to the present 



52 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

time, the Special Conference has not assigned any sums for medico-sanitary 
purposes. These needs have, however, reached a considerable development, 
and it is imperative, considering that the greater part of refugees is centered 
in provinces of the front lines where the rural organizations do not give any 
considerable medico-sanitary relief, and also owing to the fact that the refugees 
in city communities, often small ones, where not only no efficient medical help 
but the most elementary medical assistance cannot be secured, this must be 
effected through special medical expeditions of physicians and through specially 
organized hospitals. 

The conditions of life of refugees in the western provinces is in reality most 
terrible. As already explained above, only a small number of refugees can be 
settled in separate lodgings, the majority is obliged to live in barracks, owing 
to the scarcity of available separate lodgings and, therefore, sanitary inspection 
is imperative and requires considerable effort. The realization of such inspection 
and the medical assistance to refugees, if made possible, will not permit the devel- 
opment of epidemics in localities near the front line, where the appearance of 
an epidemic would prove a danger not only to the local population, but also to 
the army. 

The Central Committee and the Society for the Safeguarding of the Jewish 
Population have agreed to include in the item of medico-sanitary inspection 
the relief given to children in the way of bettering their living conditions and 
providing them with better nourishment. Owing to living conditions in cities, 
chiefly on account of life in barracks, where the moral atmosphere is highly 
detrimental to children, especially of tender age, liberal assistance to Jewish 
children and the taking of special measures concerning them is a most important 
problem. 

Relief to children is given through funds assigned by the Society for Safe- 
guarding the Health of the Jewish Popiolation and the Central Jewish Committee 
as well as by local Committees of different localities, chiefly to children between 
the age of 4 to 7, by organizing homes in which the children spend the day under 
the supervision of specially appointed guardians and where they also receive 
their meals. The children's occupations are supervised either by persons 
specially engaged for this purpose, kindergartners, or by girls and women who 
give their time without remuneration. 

The necessity for a greater number of such homes is dictated by the fact 
that the Jewish refugees, owing to the peculiarity of the Jewish family conception, 
do not care to let their children go to charitable institutions, and in whatever 
bad living conditions the parents may be in, they do not part with. their children, 
be it even to afford them a better life. The only way, then, to safeguard the 
health of Jewish children and to safeguard them from the detrimental influence 
of the street, from physical and moral disease, is to bring these children into 
"homes" as described above. Therefore the need of supplying the children 
with sufficient clothing and shoes is very urgent, in the case of children of 
refugees living in villages especially so. 

The safeguarding of the health of children also includes the nourishment 
of children of school age and going to school. The necessity of better nour- 
ishment of school children is called forth by the following conditions: Jewish 
children have to study a greater number of subjects, especially in the lower 
grades, subjects which are related to the Jewish religious education and the 
Hebrew language, and, therefore, are spending a greater number of hours in 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 53 

schools than children of other denominations, and in many localities schools 
are a good way from the points where the refugees are sheltered in Missions 
or lodgings, in the neighborhood of which it is often impossible to find rooms 
for the school. Consequently the children staying in school so long a time have 
often not the chance of sharing even the small ration of food their parents receive 
from different institutions. Finally, the health of Jewish children, from whom 
the school demands a great effort, which can also be explained by the fact that 
many subjects are taught in Russian, which the children from the western prov- 
inces, especially those from Poland, know very little or not at all, demands, 
according to the general opinion of physicians who have inspected the sanitary 
conditions of Jewish refugees, a better nourishment and the supply of at least 
a small quantity of hot food. In consequence of this need, many localities have 
opened kitchens, even in the schools, where a hot lunch consisting of hot milk, 
usually a glass or a half glass per child, white bread and some hot cereal or 
soup with meat, etc., can be had, such school lunch could be supplied for at an 
average of 10 k. per child. 

Up to March 1st the institutions giving medico-sanitary relief to refugees 
consisted of: (a) Ambulance hospitals, 51; (b) 6 specially organized hospitals 
for infectious diseases; (c) diet kitchens for the better nourishment of the weak 
and old, 3; (d) 67 children's "homes" and (e) kitchens for the nourishment of 
school children, 25. Report is attached hereto. 

However, the lack of means has not, up to the present time, permitted the 
development of medico-sanitary measures to a degree that would meet the real 
need. From the attached table of provinces which have the above-named 
institutions will be seen that many localities have no medical relief at all, whereas 
other localities, needing many more of such institutions, are not sufficiently 
supplied with same. Thus, for instance, in the Province of Vilna, where there 
are 3,166 refugees, are only two ambulances, but no hospitals at all, nor 
are there "homes" for children or hot lunches for school children; in the Province 
of Vitebsk, having 15,990 refugees, there are only 4 ambulances and one hospital 
and 4 "homes"; in the Province of Minsk, with 23,529 refugees, there are only 
1 ambulance, 1 hospital and 3 "homes"; in the Province of Moghileff, with 
8,849 refugees, there is only 1 ambualnce and 1 hot lunch kitchen for school 
children; in the Province of VoUiynia, which has 8,259 refugees, there are no 
permanent institutions as yet, etc. 

Generally the children's "homes" care for children from 4 to 7 years old— 
for a total of 4,776; registered as needing a place in a home are 10,301 children, 
for whom it is still necessary to establish such "homes." 6,485 children receive 
hot luncheons in school, and 19,337 more remain without this most necessary 
nourishment. 

In this direction the children of the Province of Ekaterinoslav are better 
cared for, 1,180; Province of Taurida, 1,500; Province of Nizhni-Novgorod, 800; 
and Province of Tambov, 500. In these localities more than half of the children 
going to school receive hot luncheons, whereas in many provinces having a great 
number of children, as, for instance, in the Province of Kieff, with 4,799 children; 
Volhynia, with 900; Moghilev, with 925; Poltava, with 1,083; Kharkoff, with 
871: Kherson, with 836, etc., do not receive this necessary nourishment. 

The report covering various provinces and showing the number of children 
receiving the above relief as well as showing the number of children who do not 
receive such relief is attached hereto. 



54 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

As to the specifically medico-sanitary function, the work of the Jewish 
Committee consists of the following: 

The medical expeditions were the first to be organized and put to work. 
In order to fully tmderstand the importance of the duty they are fulfilling it is 
necessary to explain the means and the conditions of their activity in certain 
localities. Such expeditions work, for instance, in the District of Polotsk- 
Glubokoye, where are centred 3,200 refugees. This district is so near to the front 
that in certain localities, as, for instance, in the hamlet Glubokoye, the roar of the 
cannon is heard. The district of activity of this expedition extends from 
Polotsk and Glubokoye to a number of other localities: Postava, Opsa, Vileika and 
others. The work there began already in August, 1915. In the hamlet Glubokoye 
there is a hospital maintained by the Society for the Safeguarding of the Health 
of the Jewish Poptilation. 

This expedition has the character of a flying ambulance, ministering medical 
relief to the population of refugees and often assuming the responsibility of 
their nourishment. This expedition consists of the executive, two physicians, 
two trained nurses and two dietitians. One part of the medical staff travels 
through the district, while the other part is stationed in the locality and ministers 
to the local population. In Polotsk the expedition has at its disposal a very 
well supplied ambulance. This expedition has double work to do, due to the 
eventual and partly already effected evacuation of refugees from localities nearest 
to the theatre of military operations. Such an expedition also exists in Vitebsk, 
consisting of a trained nurse, a Red Cross nurse and of a disinfector. An expe- 
dition of this kind also exists in Gomel, ministering to a population of 5,000 
refugees living in extremely hard conditions and with a small medical staff, 
who are unable to supply the necessary medical help to refugees and at 
the same time inspect their sanitary conditions, the expedition consisting of 
only one physician and two trained nurses and one disinfector. The relief 
consists of settling the sick in private lodgings and their placing into free 
ambulances. 

The expedition of the city of Minsk (more than 12,000 refugees). The bad 
living conditions of refugees in Minsk have been the cause of a great number 
of diseases. The terrible situation of the refugees and the actual danger of their 
dying out has called to them the attention of the Special Executive of the 
Union of Cities, who has assumed the duty of giving refugees medico-sanitary 
relief, but who has deemed it necessary to have a special Jewish medico- 
sanitary expedition. Such an expedition consists of physician-executive, two 
other physicians, 11 trained nurses, 3 Red Cross nurses, 1 disinfector and 3 
dietitians. In Minsk the Jewish Committee has opened a special hospital for 
refugees, having 40 beds, having begun its activity on January 8 in rooms donated 
by the local Jewish hospital. In the ambulance more than 100 patients are 
received daily. In addition to this, a dentist's office has been arranged, as well 
as a vaccination office. The ambulance has a pharmacy, serving the ambulance 
patients as well as the patients whom the physicians visit in the Missions and 
in separate lodgings, this pharmacy giving out as many as 130 prescriptions 
a day. The city is divided into five parts, or districts, centering around the 
larger barracks, each barrack being under the supervision of a trained nurse. 
The number of cases where medical relief has been given totals 5,000. A 
special disinfecting expedition, under the supervision of a disinfector, disinfects 
the premises from an infectious disease, and the belongings of the patient are 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 55 

sent to the disinfecting chamber, placed at the disposal of the Committee by 
tihe miUtary-sanitary supervision. Sanitation is also the duty of the disinfecting 
expedition, and which is carried out by a special expedition. For the disposal 
of garbage, a horse and carts have been acquired. The home for the aged is 
also in the care of this expedition. In addition to this, the expedition has sent 
out separate flying expeditions in order to inspect the suburban hamlets of 
Minsk, one physician and one trained nurse traveling through the provinces 
organizing ambulances, also organizing local medical forces, or, if such do not 
exist, sending out new expeditions from Petrograd. 

For the organization of medico-sanitary reUef a woman physician has been 
sent to the Province of Poltava, at whose disposal is a trained nurse ministering 
to refugees. In the ambulance opened in the city of Poltava, with the co-opera- 
tion of local medical men, about 800 patients are treated monthly. This ambu- 
lance also dispenses milk to the weak. 

Ambulances have been opened in Krementshug, the duty of the physician 
and the trained nurse being also the inspection of the food prepared for refugees 
and the supply of pure drinking water. 

Medical expedtions are at work in the Province of Taurida, in the towns 
of Berdiansk, where the expedition has organized a laundry for refugees, and 
where the weak and ill receive a better diet; in Genitshesk, 1,104 refugees; in 
Great Tolmak, in charge of trained nvirses; in Orekhov, etc. In Melitopol, in 
view of a strong epidemic of typhoid fever, a hospital has been opened, containing 
12 to 15 beds, and there are also taken effective sanitary measures; a physician 
in charge is also in Simferopol. 

In the Province of Ekaterinoslav a special expedition is in the city of 
Ekaterinoslav, working in the name of the students' society of Kharkofl, and 
drawing its funds from the Society for the Safeguarding of the Health of the 
Jewish Population. This expedition has organized an isolation house in order 
to check the developments of epidemic disease. There is also a free ambulance 
for refugees. 

In KharkofT an expedition in the students' society of Petrograd is at work. 

In the eastern provinces the sending of special expeditions is not necessary 
so much as in the above-named provinces, as the activities of local, rural and 
city organization is more developed along these lines. However, it becomes 
necessary to send special expeditions to certain localities. Such an expedition 
is at work in Samara, 2,400 refugees, for the reUef to refugees living in Missions. 
The expedition consists of two trained nurses, a person supervising and inspecting 
the sanitary conditions of the lodgings of refugees, while local physicians give 
medical relief if needed. 

In the Province of Voronezh an expedition is at work with a physician at 
its head. In the district towns ambulances are opened in which patients are 
treated by a staff of trained nurses. In the city of Voronezh a hospital with 
30 beds is in the care of a local physician, who gives his services free of charge. 

In the Province of Tambov is an expedition with a physician at its head. 
In the district towns of Lebediani, Morshansk, Borisoglebsk are ambulances 
in the care of assistant surgeons. In Kozloff, 1,200 refugees, an assistant surgeon 
and a Sister of Mercy are at work, and there is also, in view of an increase of 
disease, a special physician. The necessity of increasing medical reHef is called 
forth, especially in Borisoglebsk and KozloflF, where an epidemic of tjrphoid 
fever exists. 



56 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

In Nizhni- Novgorod an ambulance is opened in which an assistant surgeon 
receives patients, or assistant surgeons from rural districts, who receive special 
remuneration. Here was also an ambulance with 15 beds opened in view of 
the spreading of abdominal typhoid fever, scarlet fever and measles. 

To Tsaritsin, in the Province of Saratoff, was sent a special expedition, 
consisting of a physician, of an assistant surgeon and of a Sister of Mercy to 
fight off cholera. At the present time, when cholera is not feared any more, 
the physicians and their assistants give relief to refugees in ambulances and at 
their lodgings. 

At the present time a total of 30 physicians are engaged in the work of 
treating refugees, 40 assistant surgeons, 2 sanitation officers, 9 Sisters of Mercy, 
8 dietitians, 47 kindergartners, taking care of children's "homes," and 44 kinder- 
garten assistants. 

The remunerations of this staff amount to : physician, from 250 R. to 330 R. 
per month; second physician, 200 R.; assistant surgeon, 120 R.; Sister of Mercy, 
75 R.; sanitation officer, 85 R. per month. From the report attached hereto 
will be noted that the item of medico-sanitary relief, in all its phases, for Novem- 
ber, December, January and February amounts to the following sums: 

For actual medico-sanitary relief R. 101,520 . 13 

For children's "homes" 48,033 . 90 

Nourishment to school children 10,878.50 

Organization expenses 5,767.70 



R. 166,200.23 



While the item "organization expenses" also includes the traveling expenses, 
etc., of executives of the Society for the Safeguarding of the Health of the Jewish 
Population who had to travel in order to organize local relief in communities 
where special expeditions wotdd not be necessary and also for the inspection of 
the sanitary conditions of refugees. 

To cover this expenditure, the Committee of Her Imperial Highness, the 
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna, donated the sum of 85,000 R., the Jewish 
Committee has already given 80,000, and 1,200 R. 30 k. have still to be re- 
ceived; the total sum spent by the Committee amounts to R. 81,200 23 k. 

From these expenditures the following sums have been used for the main- 
tenance of children's "homes": 

In November '. . . R. 4,572.24 

In December 9,570. 29 

In January 8,134.98 

In February 25,756.29 



Total R. 48,033.90 

the expenditure for the maintenance of children's homes borne by the local 
Committees before the month of February from local philanthropic funds is 
not included herein. 

The cost of maintenance in a home amounts to the average of 10 R. a 
month per child, as will be noted from the following report covering the monthly 
expense for a home of 50 children: 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 57 

Rent of rooms R. 50 . 00 

Nourishment, counting 25 days in a month (with 

the exception of Saturday) 20 k. per day . . . 250 . 00 

School suppHes 10 .00 

Salary to Kindergartner 100.00 

Salary to assistant 75 .00 

Salary to servant 15 . 00 

Total R. 500.00 

that is 10 R. per child. 

The furnishing and supplying of such a home amounts to the average sum 
of 447 R. The report covering such furnishing is attached hereto and shows 
that the average cost of it amounts to 8 . 94 R. per child. 

For nourishment to school children has been spent: 

In November R. 240.00 

In December 1,332.50 

In January 7,120.00 

In February 2,186.00 

Total R. 10,878.50 

The Committee of Moscow has received 5,000 R. for the relief in the Provinces 
of Vladimir, Voronezh, Kursk, Minsk, Riazan, Tambov and Tula. 

The cost of food per child amounts to the average of 2 R. 50 k. as per data 
shown above, that is 10 k. a day, counting 25 days a month. 

The medico-sanitary expeditions, their organization and maintenance, 
medicine, prescriptions, etc., amount to — 

In November R. 17,159.36 

In December 16,635.80 

In January 22,838 . 69 

In February 48,886.28 

Total R. 101,520. 13 

At the present time it is expected to organize additional medico-sanitarj' 
relief, in points as yet not covered by this work and having 79,235 refugees. 

The sums necessary to cover this need in March are as follows: 

Considering that the month of March will need the same expenditures as in 
February, 42,000 R., that is the average of 54 k. per individual, 42,000.00: 
78,083 R., it will be necessary to expend 42,886 R. for the relief of the same 
number of refugees. For the organization of medico-sanitary relief in other 
points where this relief has not as yet been given, having approximately 79,000 
refugees, cotmting the same average of 54 k. per individual, it will be necessary 
to receive 42,000 R. In addition to this, in view of the coming hot season, it 
will be necessary to increase medico- sanitary rehef in locahties near the front 
line, this increase amounting to 1 R. 30 k. per individual, as can be noted from 
the following data: Hospital relief, 50 k., ambulance treatment and treatment 
in the lodgings of refugees and for nourishment of weak children, 53 k., sanitary 
measures, 27 k., bath, 11 k., and laundry, 16 k., in consequence of which, in 
addition to the expense of 42,000 R. shown above, it will be necessary to have an 
additional expenditure of 29,640 R. 

Having in view that the carrying out of sanitary measures cannot be realized 
earHer than in the course of two months, the month of March will need, to cover 



58 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

the last two items, 21,000 R. and 14,800 R., a total of 36,800 R., the grand total 
for March will amount to 42,886 R.— 36,800 R., that is 79,686 R., making a 
round sum of 79,000 R. 

In addition to this it is expected to spend sums for the 
organization of 10 ambulances, counting 1,000 R. on each, as 
per estimate attached hereto R- 10,000.00 

And for the organization of 4 hospitals of 160 beds and 
additional 60 beds for the hospital of Minsk, counting 100 R. 
per bed 22,000.00 

Total R. 32,000.00 

This expenditure is intended to be carried out in the course of the coming two 
months, and, therefore, the immediate outlay for the month of March will amount 
to 16,000 R. 

The Committee, therefore, asks for an assignment for actual medico- sanitary- 
relief work for the month of March of a sum of 95,000 R. (79,000 R.— 16,000 R.). 

For the maintenance of "homes" during the month of 
March and already in activity, with a number of 4,876 children 
at a cost of 10 R. per child (as per report) R. 48,760.00 



And with the further intention of organizing "homes" for 
an additional number of 5,000 children, for which plan an 
immediate outla}^ of money to the amount of 8 R. 94 k. (as 
per report) per child, a total of 44,700 R. will be required, and 
while it is expected to carry out the organization of such homes 
during the month of March only to the fourth part of the entire 
projected plan, the outlay of money invested in same will 
amount to R. 11,000.00 

And for the maintenance of the fourth part of the number 
of 5,000 children, will be required the sum of 12,500 . 00 

Total R. 23,500.00 

And thus, concerning this item, the Committee asks for the 
month of March the total sum of R. 72,000.00 

And for the lunch kitchen for school children with the care 
of 6,485 children per 2 R. 50 k. each, will be needed the sum 
of . R. 16,212.50 

And expecting to increase the number of such kitchens in 
order to care for an additional 1,200 children at the same 
cost 3,000.00 

Total R. 19,212 . 50 

Or, to rovmd out the sum 19,000.00 

Thus, the total the Committee is asking for the carrying 
out of medico-sanitary work, for the covering of expenses incurred 
during the months of January and February R. 81,200.33 

And for the month of March (95,000 R.— 72,000 R.— 
19,000 R.) is 186,000 R., and, subtracting from this the sum of 
25,000 R. assigned to the Committee by the Committee of Her 
Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna, 
the request will amount to the sum of 161,000.00 

Total R. 242,200. 33 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 59 

vn. 

EDUCATIONAL RELIEF. 

This phase of reUef work, as explained above, is reaUzed 
with the co-operation of the Society for the Spread of Education 
among the Jews of Russia. Up to this time, the work has been 
carried on in 88 locahties — 115 schools, in which 18,635 children 
are being instructed. From September, 1915, up to the present 
time, the furnishing of these schools, svipphes and books have 
cost R. 18,528.83 

The maintenance of these schools, excluding the sums 
received from local Committees of relief, has amounted to 116,609.04 

And in order to quickly organize this chain of schools a 
number of instructors and district inspectors were needed whose 
remuneration amounted to 17,236.05 

And the transportation of these teachers to their places... . 336.00 

Total R. 152,709.92 

To cover this expenditure, the sum of 30,000 R. was assigned by the Com- 
mittee of Her Imperial Hignesss the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna, while 
a sum of 77,757 R. remains still uncovered, or, to round out the sum, 77,000 R. 

The Committee, therefore, is asking for the sura of 77,000 R., 17,042 R., a 
total of $94,042.94, or the round sum of R. 94,000. 

vin. 

RELIEF BY SECURING WORK. 

As stated in the November report, this phase of relief work is done through 
local Committees of relief, but its organization and realization is chiefly directed 
by the Society for Manual and Agricultural Labor Among Jews, which has 
organized a special branch for the securing of work for refugees and which is 
maintained by funds assigned by the Jewish Committee for the Relief of the 
Victims of the War. This relief work consists of the following: (a) In organ- 
izing and maintaining an employment agency serving as middleman between 
the employer and the refugee who is capable to work. In localities with a small 
number of refugees there is no necessity of organizing such employment agency, 
but in localities where it is possible to expect a number of vacancies for working 
people, a so-called "reference bureau" is organized. 

Until the month of March 47 employment agencies have 
been organized and 15 reference bureaus (report is attached 
hereto.) The cost of their maintenance, as will be seen from 
table attached hereto amounted in January and February to: 

Employment Bureau R- -'^'JJfnnn 

Reference Bureaus JUMJU 

Total R- 24,340.00 

2. The organizing of manufacturing shops (for the making 
of shoes, linen, knitted goods, cloths, etc.) 14 shops. This 
phase of rehef work necessitates an immediate outlay of money. 
The monthly expenditure, however, is small, as it is covered by 
the sale of the products manufactured. For the organization of 
these shops in January and February, according to data already 

on hand and covering the 14 shops, a single sum of K. y.»o^- '^ 

was expended, while their maintenance amounted to ^,zov. io 

Total R.12.095.91 



60 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

3. The organizing of manual training classes for boys and adults able 
to work, but who in their permanent homes did not do any physical labor, living 
from the proceeds of small business, peddling, etc., or whose profession did not 
require physical labor. In order to adapt this element of refugees to productive 
labor, it is necessary to give them at least a short time for the study of kinds of 
labor, which would enable them to become useful workers, qualified to answer 
the call for a considerable number of hands should a time come when such will 
be needed. 

There are two shops of this kind: in Ekaterinoslav, one for seamstresses 
and one carpenter shop; in Mariupol, for embroiderers; in Lugansk, for seam- 
stresses; in Nizhni-Novgorod are practical courses for the working on metal, 
organized, supplied with the necessary tools; in Ekaterinburg, a knitting shop; 
in Simferopol, for seamstresses and others. 

For the organization of 8 shops the sum of 26,204.20 R. was spent, including 
the cost for the organizing of courses for work on metal, which was 22,071.45 R. 

Having in view that for this last-named course were required expensive 
tools and that, after they have served their purpose of training of refugees they 
will sttU have a certain considerable value, it is expected that a great part of 
this expenditure will bring reimbursement; therefore, out of the above-named 
sum only 6,000 R. must be referred to as being expended, and thus immediate 
outlay of money will amoimt to 10,122.75 R. (26,204.20 R.— 16,071.45 R.). 

The maintenance of these shops for January and February, the account 
for which is on hand, amounts to 2,611 R., making a total of 12,733.75 R. 

4. Shelters for apprentices. There is a considerable percentage of youngsters 
between 12 and 17 years of age who, owing to their age cannot be sent to ele- 
mentary schools, and also because they have finished these schools. In order 
to organize these young people and to prevent them from acquiring the habit 
of loafing, and as it is impossible to place them into business places, it is necessary 
to adapt them to a life of work. The best means to attain this is to have them 
learn a trade in a manual training shop. Specialists have agreed that the insti- 
tution "apprenticeship" has outlived its day. Experience has shown that 
apprentices spend considerable time helping in the household of employers, 
that they live in bad sanitary and moral conditions and usually forget what 
they have ever learned in school. Consequently, the number of schools for manual 
and technical training has increased. However, their organization and main- 
tenance need considerable sums, and, besides, cannot be realized when the need 
of training the young element of refugees is so imperative. A few years before 
the beginning of the war the Society for Manual and Agricultural Labor Among 
Jews began the reorganization of apprenticeship by founding so-called "shelters" 
for apprentices. This institution, tested and tried out in normal times, proves 
to be of the greatest usefulness for the present. 

The department of "relief through securing work" has, therefore, begun 
to organize such "shelters" in different localities. At the present time there 
exist shelters in 10 different localities, as follows: in Ekaterinoslav, Kazan, 
Lugansk, Samara, MeUtopol, Odessa, Elisavetgrad, Kursk and Voronezh, for the 
placing of 500 apprentices into different shops. Local relief organizations point 
out the best shops where apprentices may be placed, while a contract is drawn 
up with the proprietor of the shop and even a certain sum assigned to him as 
payment for lost or spoiled tools. The work of the children is supervised by a 
specially appointed officer, who several times during the week visits the shop 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 61 

where the apprentices under the care of the shelter are working; in addition to 
this, courses have been organized for the afternoon, for the attendance of which 
the young people are freed for certain hours, as per agreement with the employer. 
These courses not only review the studies the children had in school and further 
develop them, but they also teach drawing and technical drafting, according 
to the trade they are learning. 

From the attached account covering a shelter of 50 apprentices during 
one year, it will be noted that the organizing of a shelter needs the immediate 
outlay of 200 R. and a yearly expenditure of 5,000 R., that is 100 R. per apprentice. 

For the months of January and February the cost of organizing and main- 
taining 8 shelters has amounted to 5,760 R. 

5. The supply of tools. Data on hand shows that for January and February 
local Committees have expended 21,305 R. on this item. 

6. Salary to the instructor and to executives for the organization of the 
• relief through securing work during January and February amounted to 

13,899.10 R. 

Thus this phase of relief work has needed and expended: (a) Employment 
agency and reference bureaus, 24,840 R.; (b) for manual training shops, 
12,095.91 R.; for apprentice shops, 12,783.75 R.; (c) for shelters, 5,760 R.; 
(d) supply of tools, 21,305 R.; (e) salary to staff, 13,899.10 R.— a total of 
90,633.76 R., which sum has been entirely covered by funds of the Central 
Jewish Committee. 

The total necessary to cover the expenditure of the item 
"relief through securing of work" amounts to the following 
sums: 

(a) It is intended to open nine additional employment 
agencies (see report). For the maintenance of these 
as well as of those already existing (47 in number), it 

is necessary to have the sum of R. 14,775.00 

(b) For the opening of 30 additional reference bureaus 
and their maintenance as well as that of already existing 

points 22.070.00 

(c) It is intended to organize six new manual training shops, 
namely in Bobruisk (shoemaker's shop), in Perm 
(tailoring shop), in Samara (a hatter's shop), in Great 
Tokmak (a knitting shop), in Borisoglebks (knitting 
shop), in Kharkoff (knitting shop). For the opening of 

these shops an immediate outlay of 8,815.00 

(Budgets covering different shops are attached.) 

For the maintenance of already existing shops as well as 

for that of shops expected to be organized 2,165.00 

Total R. 10,980.00 

(d) It is expected to organize manual training shops, in the nearest future, 
in Elisavetgrad (seamstress, carpenter, embroidery, corset), in Ekaterinoslav, 
3 shops (tailors, ladies' clothing, courses for cutting), in Alexandrovsk (tinsmiths), 
in Bakhmut (tailoring shop), in Mariupol (tailors and tinsmiths), in Kazan 
(engraver's shop), in Arzamass (locksmiths), in Pensa (carpenters', shoemakers' 
and engravers' shops), in Perm (carpenters' and knitting shops), in Poltava 
(carpenters), in Krementshug (tailors), in Romni (seamstress and saddlers' 
shops), in Samara (seamstress), in Great Tokmak (seamstress), in Melitopol 
(carpenters' and artistic embroidery shops), in Simferopol (carpenters ancl 
seamstress), in Tambov (ladies' clothing), in Kozloff (locksmiths' and tinsmiths' 



62 . Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

shops) , in Kharkoff (carpenters and courses for cutting) , in Sumach (seamstress) . 
in Odessa (locksmiths and ladies' clothing). The immediate outlay for the 
organization of these shops, as well as for the enlarging of those already existing 
in Mariupol, Tsaritsin and Simferopol, it is necessary to have the sum of 71,516 R. 
From the total number of shops it is expected to open only the fourth part 
during the month of March, which will necessitate the sum of (71,516:4 R.) 
17,879 R. For the maintenance of shops already in operation for the month of 
March, 1,305 R., and the fourth part of expenditure for the maintenance of 
new shops (13,960:4 R.), 3,400, making a total of 4,795 R. Thus the expenditure 
concerning this item for the month of March will amount to 22,674 R. 

(e) For the organizing and maintenance of shelters for apprentices it is 
expected to spend 3,000 R. 

(f) For supplying workers with tools for the month of March, 15,000 R., and 

(g) Salary to instructors and executives and their traveling expenses during 
March will amount to 4,500 R. 

The total sum for this phase of work for March will amount to 14,575 R., 
2,070 R., 10,980 R., 22,674 R., 8,000 R., 15,000 R., 4,500 R.— 77,799 R. 

Thus the Committee is asking for the item of "relief through securing labor" 
for the months of January, February and March an assignment of 90,633.76 R., 
a total of 168,432.76 R., or the round sum of 168,000 R. 



IX. 

ORGANIZATION EXPENSES. 

The expenditure for the organization and maintenance of the Committee's 
ofifices are as follows: 

In January R. 10,707.20 

In February 11,521 .58 

Total R. 22,228.78 

This sum includes the expense of organizing and maintaining an information 
and statistic bureau (in the November report submitted to the Special Council 
the work of organizing and the problems of this phase of work have been stated 
in detail). The Central Russian Bureau of Registration attached to the Com- 
mittee of Her Imperial Highness, the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolayevna, 
has agreed with the Central Jewish Committee to submit all inquiries concern- 
ing Jewish refugees to the Central Information Bureau attached to the Committee, 
who in turn satisfies these inquiries direct. From October 1st to March 1st 
the Committee of Her Imperial Highness, Tatiana Nikolayevna, has referred 
7,600 of inquiries to the Committee, 1,749 people being found through the work 
of the Committee. The total number of inqturies concerning the whereabouts 
of refugees amounts to 60,000 since the opening of this information bureau; 
up to March 1st, 20,896 people having been found. The total number of regis- 
tration cards amounts to about 130,000 received from registration bulletins 
from local Committees covering 235 points, from inquiries coming direct from 
refugees who give their address. At the present time, as stated above, the 
material concerning registration is being classified, and at the present time the 
bureau has accurate data of former and present addresses of refugees as well 



Russian Jewish Relief Committee. 63 

as data concerning sex, age and profession of more than 125,000 from the total 
number of 185,000 refugees taking advantage of the Committee's relief. 

The expense of maintaining a great number of local offices and executives 
must naturally be a large one. It is necessary to keep in view that the duty 
of the office is to keep the lists of contributors and the keeping of accounting 
books registering contributions. In addition to this, the salaries of executives, 
their traveling expenses and mail expenses must be counted, the number of 
executives being 36. The necessity of sending these executives to different 
localities where the organizing of refugees is imperative is called forth by the fact 
that the refugees are centred in the provinces of the front line and in such localities 
where the local forces of relief work among refugees, scattered in small points, 
are not sufficient. If one keeps in view that the best social forces, the local 
young element, are called to arms, it will be easy to understand the necessity 
of sending out people from the centers, people who are experienced and reliable. 
These executives, being the representatives of the Central Jewish Committee, 
supervise the correct compiling of reports, the expenditure of fimds and supervise 
the accounting. 

The expense for salaries to executives and their traveling money amounts to: 

In January R. 11,,536.59 

In February 12,143.70 

Total R. 23,680.70 

The total expenditure for the maintenance of offices for the 
Committee and salaries and traveling money paid to executives 
during two months amounts to R. 45,909.07 

This expenditure is not expected to decrease for March and 
thus the expense is foreseen to be 22,954.53 R., that is, the 
necessary sum to cover the expense of this item will be 68,863 .60 

In view of the fact that this expense is of necessity large, 
the Committee believes it would be right to divide it into two 
parts, referring one part to the funds of the Committee, funds 
consisting of philanthropic contributions, while asking the 
Special Council for a loan to cover the second part, that is 38,631 80 



IMMEDIATE OUTLAY OF SUMS FOR THE MAKING OF 
UNLEAVENED BREAD FOR EASTER. 

Aside from the sums named above for which the Committee is asking the 
Special Council, the Committee also takes the liberty of submitting to the Special 
Council the consideration of the following need, which has to be referred to as 
the satisfying the religious want of Jewish refugees, for which up to the present 
time no assignments have been asked. As well known, one of the fundamental 
laws of the Jewish faith is the prohibition of bread during the Passover Week, 
which is substituted by unleavened bread made from flour of a special grist. 
Having in view that the Jewish Easter comes in the beginning of April, the 
Committee deemed it its duty to take the care of preparing unleavened bread 
for refugees into its hands. This phase of reHef work has and will still require 
considerable expenditures, including the cost of making and delivering unleavened 
bread for Jewish soldiers at the front as well as for Jewish refugees in care of 



64 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

local Jewish Committees. Naturally the expense for the making of unleavened 
bread for Jewish soldiers will be covered by philanthropic sums in the possession 
of the Committee. As to the making of unleavened bread for the population 
of refugees, the Committee is asking for the necessary funds, which could be 
regarded as an addition to the food ration received by refugees. 

According to an estimate, it is necessary to have 10 lbs. of unleavened 
bread per refugee. It is necessary to have in view that from this unleavened 
bread cereal is made, as the use of other cereals and flour is not permitted. Count- 
ing the average cost of unleavened bread as 6 to 8 R. per pood, a weight of 40 
Russian lbs., the cost of this will be from 1 R. 30 k. to 2 R. per refugee, 
according to the locality in which the refugees are centred. According to 
this estimate, the supplying of 150,000 refugees with unleavened bread calls 
forth the expense of 1 R. 75 k. per individual, a total of 262,500 R., the assign- 
ment of which sum the Committee is asking the Special Council. 

In view of the fact that the loan of 200,000 R. to professional people assigned 
in February has only been received in March, the account covering this item 
will be submitted in time, and the Committee does not, therefore, ask for a 
further assignment for this same item. 



II. POLAND. 

(Territory Occupied by German Troops.) 

The work of the Jiidisches Hilfskomite fur Polen, in whose care 
most of the American money has been placed, has been largely one 
of investigation and coordination. This committee has endeavored 
to encourage the various afflicted communities to support themselves 
as far as possible, and it has regarded it as its chief function to make 
appropriations to the relief funds already established in the various 
communities. In this way, the Jiidisches Hilfskomite fiir Polen 
has been able to husband the funds sent from America, so that it 
has been in a position for the past few months to give considerable 
help in such places where funds originally raised from other 
sources had been exhausted. The committee reports to us under 
date of February 1, 1916, that at the present time there are about 
1,360,000 Jews in Poland, and that about one-third, or 455,000 
Jews are dependent upon the support of the relief funds. This 
number the committee reports as growing from month to month, 
inasmuch as there are but few opportunities for employment. 
Small traders and emplo^'Ces, as well as artisans, are eating up 
their savings. 

In Lithuania there are at the present time about 400,000 Jews, 
of whom more than one-half— at least 250,000 — ^are dependent upon 
the rehef funds for support. The misery of the Jews of Lithuania 
is even greater than that of the Jews in Poland, inasmuch as Lith- 
uania in general is industrially in a worse position. 

In Courland there are but 10,000 Jews left. These Jews can 
get along without support from the reHef funds for the present. 

On February 1, 1916, there were about 700,000 Jews in Poland 
and Lithuania absolutely dependent upon the relief funds. The 
number of such persons is growing from day to day. 

The Jewish relief committee for Poland is of the opinion that 
in addition to other relief funds secured from other sources, the 
American relief fund will have to appropriate at least 400,000 marks 
a month for the year 1916. The appropriations made from the 
American fund up to March 9, 1916, were as follows: 

65 



66 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

APPROPRIATIONS FOR VARIOUS TOWNS. 

(Up to December 31, 1915.) 

Kalisch Mk. 26.433.30 

Lodz and vicinity 61,666.80 

Czenstochov, Dombrova, etc 45,000 .00 

Lomzha, Suvalki 43,333 . 40 

Tomaschow 6,666 . 70 

Warsaw 73,333 . 35 

Bendzin and vicinity 16,665 .70 

Brzcziny 5,000.00 

Konin 1,665 . 00 

Plock 3,335.00 

Vilna 10,000.00 

Szczuczyn 5,000.00 

Biala, Lukow 2,000.00 

Schaulen 1,000 .00 

Wieruschow 1,000 .00 

Sanniki 2,000.00 

Warsaw 105.900.00 

Lodz 7,500 . 00 

Warsaw 25,000.00 

Kovno 15.000.00 

Kalisch 4,000.00 

Czenstochov, Sosnowitz, etc 10,000 .00 

Grodno 10,000 . 00 

Bialystok 20,000.00 

Lida 3,000.00 

Szczuczyn 5,000.00 

Chorzelle 2,500.00 

Vilna 50,000.00 

Volkowisk 2,000.00 

Przasnaysz 2,000 .00 

Lodz 2,300.00 

Skaudwilie 500.00 

Preny 500.00 

Military Rabbi, Dr. Tanzer 5,000.00 

Novo-Grodek 2,000 .00 

Chaplain, Richard 2,000.00 

Lukow 2,000.00 

Plock 1,000.00 

Knyschyn 1,500.00 

Field Rabbi, Dr. Baeck 600.00 

Bitten 1,000.00 

Lodz 1,000.00 

Jwje 500.00 

Thorn 2,000.00 

Oszmiany 1,200.00 

Slonirii 2,000.00 

Buschany 1,500 .00 

Zdunska-Wola 1,000.00 

Field Rabbi, Dr. Levy 5,000 .00 

Sieradz 1,500.00 

Simno 500.00 

Suwalki ■ , 10,000.00 

Mariampol 500.00 

Field Rabbi, Dr. Sonderling 5,000.00 

Augustovo 1,000 .00 

Kalvaria 500 .00 

Wilkowischki 1,200.00 

Lomzha 3,000.00 



Judisches Hilfskomile fur Polen. 67 

f^^j^^o j,jj^. 2,000.00 

i'°^'^f 500.00 

%,^\-- : 2,000.00 

Ostrolenka 1,000.00 

^'■^"s^^ 1,500.00 

^°s,^" 2,000.00 

Loaz 500.00 

To M. M. Warburg & Co., Hamburg for expenses 597 90 

Transfer to Warsaw 12 ! 50 

Various expenses for transfer, etc 909 ! 65 



Mk. 632,819.30 

bhare of remittances of the German Central Relief Committee. . 11,633.35 



Total Mk. 644,452.65 



RECAPITULATION. 

Total receipts Mk. 3,441,450.00 

Expenditures 644,452 . 65 

Balance on hand Mk. 2,796,997.95 

Of this balance, there was in the Berlin Disconto 

and Commerz Bank Mk. 281,932.95 

Of this, the following sums have been expended: 

Wolkowisk Mk. 2,000 .00 

Prascnitz 2,000.00 

Novo-Grodok 2,000 .00 

Lukow 2,000 .00 

Plock 1,000.00 

Points near border (Thorn) 2,000 .00 

Zdunska-Wola 1,000.00 

Sieradz 1,500.00 

Lomzha 3,000.00 

Grajewo 2,000.00 

Losize 500.00 

Ostrolenka 1,000 .00 

Pinsk and vicinity (Dr. Tanzer) 5,000 .00 

Points at the Front (Dr. Baeck) 300 .00 

Points in the Rokitnos marshes, Chaplain 

Richard 2,000.00 

Kahsch 4.000.00 

Czenstochov, Sosnowitz, etc 10,000.00 

Places in the District of Schtutschin, Graj- 
ewo, Rajgrod, Wonsosz, Radzilow und 

Gonionds 5,000.00 

Chorzele 2,500.00 

Lodz 10,800.00 

Warsaw 25,000.00 

Bialystok 20,000.00 

Grodno 10,000.00 

Vilna 50,000.00 

Carried forward Mk. 174,600.00 



68 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



Brought forward Mk. 

Augustovo 

Bitten 

Boiansk 

Jwje 

Kalvaria 

Kielmy 

Kovno and Slobodka 

Knyschyn 

Lida 

Mariampol 

Oschmiana 

Breny 

Pruzana 

Skaudvill 

Skidel 

Simno 

Slonim 

Wilkowischki and Pilwischki 

Pultusk 

Vilna 

Places in vicinity Vilna (Dr. S. Levi) 

Schavli and vicinity (Dr. Sonderling) 

Alexandrov 

Total Mk. 

Balance on hand 



174,600.00 
1,000.00 
1,000.00 
1,500.00 

500.00 

500.00 

500.00 

15,000.00 

1,500.00 

3,000.00 

500.00 
1,200.00 

500.00 
1,500.00 

500.00 
2,000.00 

500.00 
2,000.00 
1,200.00 
2,000.00 
5.000.00 
5,000.00 
5,000.00 
1,000.00 

227,000.00 
54,932.95- 



Mk. 281,932.95 



RELIEF ADMINISTERED JOINTLY BY THE JEWISH RELIEF COM- 
MITTEE FOR POLAND AND THE GERMAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE 
FOR THE RELIEF OF THE NEEDY IN RUSSIAN-POLISH TERRI- 
TORY OCCUPIED BY GERMAN TROOPS. 

The Jiidisches Hilfskomite fiir Polen has also cooperated with 
the Deutsches Central Hilfskomite fur die Notleidenden in den 
von deutschen Truppen besetzten Teilen Russisch-Polens. $100,000 
was appropriated by the Joint Distribution Committee towards 
this cooperation. Up to the present time, we have received the 
following report of this cooperation. 



Jewish 

ReHef 

Committee 

for 

Poland 



German 

Central 

Relief 

Committee 

for 

Russian 

Poland 



Together 



1915 Marks Marks Marks 
Mar. 5 — In aid of the needy in the 

district of Chenstochov 45,000.00 45,000.00 

Mar. 5— Same for district of Bendzin 30,000 .00 30,000 .00 

Mar. 5— Same for district of Kalisch 15,000.00 15,000.00 

Mar. 27 — -To cover deficit of the Lodz 

People's Kitchen 100,000 . 00 100,000 . 00 

Mar. 30— To the Civil Chief of the East 

for distribution 50,000.00 50,000.00 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 



Jewish 

Relief 

Committee 

for 

Poland 



German 

Central 

Relief 

Committee 

for 

Russian 

Poland 



1915 

April 10 — Lodz Jewish Benevolent So- 
ciety 

May 12 — Single distribution for needy 
of the districts of Kalisch, 
15,000 — Lodz, 25,000 — 
Dombrova - Tchenstokovo, 

15,000 

May 12 — Monthly subventions for the 
same districts as follows : 
Lomza-Suvalki 5,000 . 00 

Kalisch 2,500.00 

Lodz 5,000.00 

Commimities east 
and west of 

Lodz 5,000.00 

Dombro va- 
Tchenstoko- 
vo 5,000.00 



June 8- 
July 1- 
Aug. 5- 



Sept. 15- 

Oct. 28- 
Nov. 12- 

Dec. 6- 



June 18- 
June 18- 
June 18- 
July 1- 
July 14- 
July 14- 

Sept. 2— ' 

Sept. 15- 
Oct. 16- 
Nov. 13- 



-Same for June 

■Same for July 

•Same for August (2,500 addi- 
tion for Dombrova- Tchen- 
stokovo) 

-Same for September as Au- 
gust 

■Same for October 

■Same for November (10,000 
additional for Warsaw) . . . 

•Same for December (10,000 
additional for various 
places) 

•To the Civil Chief of the East 
for distribution 

Subvention for district of 
Tomashov 

Subvention for district of 
Brzeziny 

•Establishment of a convales- 
cent colony in Lodz 

•Establishment of a convales- 
cent colony in Kalisch 

•To relieve distress in the burnt 
down villages of the dis- 
trict of Plotzk, 10,000, and 
Konin, 5,000 

•To relieve Germans in Libau 
(600 weekly for 4 weeks) . . 

Same for 4 weeks more 

Same for 4 weeks more 

•Same for 4 weeks more 



Marks 
3,333.30 



15,000.00 
15,000.00 
15,000.00 



16,666.65 
16,666.65 



36,666.65 

16,666.75 

6,666.65 

5,000.00 



Marks 
1,666.70 



7,500.00 
7,500.00 
7,500.00 



8,333.35 
8,333.35 



8,333.35 
33,333.25 
13,333.35 
10,000.00 
10,000.00 

5,000.00 



2,400.00 
2,400.00 
2,400.00 
2,400.00 



Together 



Marks 
5,000.00 



36,666.70 18,333.30 55,000.00 



22,500.00 
22,500.00 
22,500.00 



16,666.65 8,333.35 25,000.00 



25.000.00 
25,000.00 



26,666.65 8,333.35 35,000.00 



45,000.00 
50,000.00 
20,000.00 
15,000.00 
10,000.00 
5,000.00 



5,000.00 10,000.00 15,000.00 



2,400.00 
2,400.00 
2,400.00 
2.400.00 



70 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



Jewish 

Relief 

Committee 

for 

Poland 



German 

Central 

Relief 

Committee 

for 

Russian 

Poland 



Together 



1915 Marks Marks Marks 
Sept. 25— To the Civil Chief of the East 

for distribution 100,000 .00 100,000 .00 

Dec. 1— To the Civil Chief of the East 

for distribution 100,000.00 100,000.00 

Oct. 13 — Subsidy for the district of 

Vloclavek 3,000.00 3,000.00 

Oct. 14— SameforPlotzk 2,000.00 2,000.00 

Nov. 29 — Establishment of a home for 

children in Lodz 12,000.00 12,000.00 

Nov. 29— Various small sums 670.00 670.00 

Oct. 29— Subsidy for Warsaw 60,000 .00 60,000 . 00 

Total 291,666.65 633,103.35 924,770.00 



THE (GERMAN) JEWISH RELIEF COMMITTEE 
FOR POLAND. 

Chairman Dr. James Simon, Berlin. 

Treasurer Max M. Warburg, Hamburg. 

Secretary Dr. Bernhard Kahn, Berlin. 



Executive Committee. 



Dr. James Simon, Berlin. 
Max M. Warburg, Hamburg. 
Dr. Bernhard Kahn, Berlin. 
Privatdozent Dr. Oppenheimer, Steg- 
litz. 



Dr. Paul Nathan, Berlin. 
Justizrat Waldstein, Altona. 
Captain Carl Melchior, Berlin. 



Members. 



Justizrat Bodenheimer, Cologne. 
Landtagsabgeordneter Geh. Justizrat O. 

Cassel. 
Assessor Dr. Friedmann. 
Dr. Max Ginsberg. 
Baron Rudolf von Goldschmidt-Roth- 

schild, Frankfort-am-Main. 
Professor Dr. Eugen Mittwoch. 
Kommerzienrat C. L. Netter. 
Professor Soberheim. 
Herman Struck. 
Geh. Justizrat B. Timendorfer. 



Professor Otto Warburg. 

Kommerzienrat Eisner. 

Justizrat Dr. J. Blau, Frankfort-am- 
Main. 

Geh. Justizrat Fuchs. 

Direktor Karl Herzberg, Frankfort-am- 
Main. 

Justizrat Horwitz. 

Lucien Picard, Frankfort-am-Main. 

Ludwig Schiff, Frankfort-am-Main. 

Justizrat Bernhard Breslauer. 

Direktor Paul Mankiewitz. 



Jiidisches Hilfskomiie Jiir Polen. 



71 



(Note— In the smaller towns and villages relief is administered by the 
committee in the nearest large town or city.) 

LOCAL COMMITTEES IN THE LARGER TOWNS AND CITIES. 



Vilna: 

Dr. Wygodsky. 

Attorney Rosenbaum. 

Rabbi Rubinstein. 

Dr. Schabth. 

Saul Lewin. 

Dr. Rachmilewitsch. 

A. Scheskin. 

Grodno : 

Dr. M. Anzelewltsch. 

Chose (Hotel Owner). 

Salmon Lipschutz. 
Herz Dreer. 

Drischtepinsky. 

Arkin. 

Sackheim. 

Rabbiner Gelbort. 

Lida: 

Son-in-law of Rabbi Reines. 

Cantor (Brewer). 

Jewish Community. 

Schavli: 

Jewish Community under leader- 
ship of Army Chaplain, Dr. 
Sonderling. 

Jurburg : 

D. Hermann. 

■ Jewish Community. 

Salanty : 

Rabbiner M. A. Rabinowitz. 

N. Gutkin. 

L. Rosen. 

A. D. Lewin. 

N. Berkowitz. 

L. Siew. 

Wiscni : 

Rabbi M. Wisanski. 
Jewish Commimity. 

Wilkowischki : 

E. A. Grun. 
Jsak Drushin. 
Eschiel Bejlsken. 

F. Schalchotzki, Chairman. 
M. Glicksohn. 

Bialystok : 

Executive of Jewish Community. 
A. Tyktin, Chairman. 
A. Lapidus. 
A. Rappaport. 

Barrasch. 

Sch. Herschberg. 
Rabbi Halperin. 



Pilwischki : 

S. Goldberg. 
A. London. 
S. Roschugolski. 
J. Flensberg. 

Neu-Sigind : 

Rabbi Schapiro. 
Jewish Community. 

Kruki: 

Rabbi Abramowitz. 
Jewish Community. 

Libau : 

Chief Rabbi Nurok. 
Kaufmann Hcrzberg. 
Jewish Community. 

Kovno ; 

Army Chaplain, Rabbi Dr. 

Rosenak. 
Rabbi J. N. Kark. 
K. Markus. 
S. Wiriicky. 
Moses Schapow. 
Leon Reinberg. 
Leon Rabinowitz. 
Ksaak Dwonetzky. 
M. Hellermann. 

E. Garbatzky. 
Lasar Segall. 
Chaim Chassmann. 

Kovno-SIobodka : 

Rabbi Nisson Zablonski, Treasurer 

Kalmann Ipp. 

Meyer Barber. 

Hillel Fin. 

Chaim Blom. 

Joel Joels. 

Mariampol : 

A. Nathanson. 
Ch. L. Kaplan. 
Jewish Community. 
Rabbi Sch. Botnicki. 

Suwaiki: 

K. Schapiro (Treasurer). 

F. Danielewitsch. 
Jewish Community. 

Kalvaria : 

O. Baxsinow. 

J. Epstein. 

Jewish Community. 



72 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



Augustov : 

Leib Lewatinso. 
Abram Wejdenbaum. 
Isaac Rottenberg. 
B. Marcus. 

Wirballen : 

M. D. Friedlander. 

Schaki: 

P. Pfeifermacher. 

Warsaw:* 

Communal Relief Committee. 

Nathanson (Chairman). 

Rundstein (Treasurer). 

Cooperative Organizations in Re- 
lation to Fugitives — Relief So- 
ciety for War Victims. 

Muttermilch (Chairman). 

Dr. Poznanski. 

Farbstein. 

Goldflam. 

Consul Eiger 

Lodz: 

Stanislaw Jarocinsky 
Rabbi Dr. Brawde, 

Neumann. 

Ursysohn (Treasurer 

Lindenfeld. 

Prechner. 

Grawe Schwartz. 

Bailder. 

Cohn. 

Pabianice : 

Faust Bornstein. 

Zgierz: 

Ring Naphtalin. 

Konstantinov : 

Hanf tworcel . 



Chairmen. 



Alexandrov : 

Rabbi Singer. 



Kalisch : 

Relief Committee of the Jewish 
Community. 
Dr. Brockmann (Chairman). 
A. Kaplan (Secretary). 
A. Guttfreimd (Treasurer). 
Rabbi Liebschutz. 
Selig Friede. 
City Councillor Kaufmann. 

Chenstochov: 

Dr. Edward Cohn, Chairman of the 

Benevolent Society for Jews. 
Chief Rabbi N. Asch. 
Jewish Community. 

Sosnowitz : 

Stanislaus Reicher. 
Jewish Community. 

Bendzin: 

Relief Society. 

Dr. Weinziher (Chairman). 

Rabbi Graubert. 

Jewish Community. 

Dombrova : 

Relief Society. 

Kaufmann Siegreich. 

Benevolent Society. 

Rabbi Landau (Chairman). 

Kaufmann Weitzen. 

Executive of Jewish Community. 

Grajevo: 

Rabbi M. Awigdor Amiel. 
Jewish Community. 

Lask: 

Abram Lefkowitz (Chairman). 
Meyer Berkenwald (Secretary). 
Jewish Community. 

Kielce : 

Jewish Citizens' Committee. 
Dr. Lewin (Chairman). 
J. Sternfeld. 
S. Hirsch (vSecretary). 



Ozorkov: 

Dr. L. Famiter (Chairman). 
Dawid Swistowitz (Treasurer) 

Wolbom: 

Rabbi Ch. B. Dembinski. 
Jewish Community. 



Pinsk: 

Dr. Alexander Lurie. 
Attorney Boruschek. 
Attorney Samuel Wohl. 
Hirsch Hiller. 
Israel Lewin. 
Samuel Avigdor Lewin. 



*The Joint Distribution Committee at a_ meeting held March 20, 1916, added to the 
Warsaw Committee: Mes.srs. Levi Lewin- Epstein, Wagmeister, Segal, Medom, Dinensohn and 
a representative of the workingmen, to be designated later. 



Judisches HilfskomiU fiir Polen. 



73 



DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF. 



The following sums have been distributed to the most needy of the Jewish 
population by Leon Scheinhaus of Memel through local rabbis: 



Garsden (May) M, 100. 00 

Krottingen (May) 125. 00 

Polangen (May) 50. 00 

Wewerzany (May) 100. 00 

Schweksnja (Mav) 175. 00 

Salanten (May) .' 200. 00 

Telschen (June) 1,200. 00 

Schkudy (June) 200. 00 

Plungiany (June) 300. 00 

Womy (June) 200. 00 

Lankowo (June) 150. 00 

Neustadt Sugind (June)... . 450.00 

Chweidan (June) 350. 00 

Ritawen (June) 150. 00 

Dorbiany (June) 100. 00 

Kul (June) 40. 00 

Civil and War Prisoners 

(August).. 30.00 

Telschen 

Kurschany 

Trischki 

Lukniki 

Naherany 

Siady 

Olsiady 

Murahjewo 

Wekschnie 

Krottingen . 

Schkudy . . . 



(Aug. 23).... 1,500.00 



300.00 
150.00 



M. 5,940.00 



Laukowo 

Neustadt Sugind 

Chweidan 

Schillel 

Plungiany 

Kul 

Andrejewo 

Womy 

Ritawen 

Twer 

Telschen ] 

Kurschany 

Lukniki 

Trischki 

Naweramy 

Siady 

Olsiday 

Murawjewo 

Wekschne 

Illoki 

Poppeliany 



.M. 



100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
150.00 
100.00 
50.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 



Aug. 30 1,080.00 



Weinuten M. 90. 00 

Krosze 144.00 

Skandwill 144.00 

Kelmy 180.00 

Polangen 315.00 

Chweidan 90.00 

Schweksnje 108. 00 

Neustadt-Sugind 108. 00 

Schillel 90.00 

Kul 72.00 

Plotel 72.00 



M. 8,433.00 



Plungiany M. 144. 00 

Salanten 90.00 

Schkudy 108.00 

Seriamy 45 . 00 

Ritawen 90.00 

Wewessany 63 . 00 

Laukowo 72.00 

Dorbiany 90.00 

Womy 90.00 

Krottingen 153.00 

Massiady 54.00 

Koltynian 54.00 

Pojursche 54. 00 

Schweksnje 100.00 

Wessany 100.00 

Ritawen 100.00 

Krottingen 100.00 

Jurburg 100.00 

Andrejewo 60. 84 

11 Communities in Telschi. . 1,500. 00 

Plungiany 300.00 

Salanten 300.00 

Total M. 12,200.84 



74 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF THROUGH MILITARY RABBI 
DR. SALLY LEVI. 

The following sums were distributed through Army Chaplain, Rabbi Dr. 

Sally Levi, formerly of Suwalki, now of Wilna. 

July 21— Pilwischken. M. 200. 00 

Pilwischken 50. 00 

Jeleniewo 20. 00 

Wilkowischki for Kalwaria 200. 00 

Kalwaria 150. 00 

Wladislawowo for Schaky 300. 00 

Wladislawowo 20. 00 

Suwalki, Lechem Laanijim 300. 00 

Suwalki, Moschab Sekenim 100. 00 

Various Individuals 60. 00 

For Carpentry Work 110. 00 

July 28— Augustowo 50. 00 

Augustowo for Stabin Lipsk 50. 00 

Kalwaria 100.00 

Aug. 23 — To cover notes due 50. 00 

Committee on Distribution of Bread through Frau Recht- 

sanwalt Danielowitsch and Becker Liskowski 800.00 

Minor appropriations and artisans for labor performed. . . 140.00 

Sept. 14— To the Steward of Alvensleben for Racki 500. 00 

Suwalki, Bread Distribution 150. 00 

Suwalki, People's Kitchen 200. 00 

Kalwarja 200.00 

Nov. 13 — fitape Commanders of Mariampol 500. 00 

Cantor Sirota, Mitau 50. 00 

Schaki (for plundered persons) 400 . 00 

Total M. 4,700.00 

The following sums were distributed through Eugene Laaser. 

Sept. 10— Jurburg M. 50. 00 

Nowo-Mesta 50. 00 

Keidany 100. 00 

Rosiemmy and vicinity (R. A. Lewin) 300. 00 

July 30 — Tauroggen, Skautville, Schilehnen und Opino '. . 300. 00 

Sept. 14— Opino, Tauroggen 100. 00 

Chwidan 100. 00 

Sept. 20— Schaulen 50. 00 

Nov. 15— Jurburg, 100. 00; Welona, 50. 00 150. 00 

Seretniki, 75. 00; Wilki, 75. 00 '. 150. 00 

Eivolagda, 50. 00; Beitagola, 50. 00 100. 00 

Nov. 27— Schitlowo 100. 00; Sitowiany, 100. 00 200. 00 

Kroki 100. 00 

Dec. 15— Kroki, 100.00; H. Wulff of Libau, 10.00 110.00 

Treschki, 100. 00; Opino, 50. 00 150.00 

Total M. 2,010.00 

The following sums were distributed through Rabbi Dr. Vogelstein of 

Konigsberg : 

Aug. 13— Wilkowischki for Fugitives from Pilwischki M. 200.00 

Wilkowischki for Fugitives from Kalwaria 200 . 00 

Pilwischki 150. 00 

Mariampol for Fugitives from Kalvaria and Ludwino 200. 00 

Mariampol 100. 00 

Kalvaria 200. 00 

Rabbi Dr. Levy for Suwalki 180. 00 

Rabbi Dr. Levy for Schaki 200.00 

Total M. 1,430.00 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 75 

The following sums were distributed by Max Amsdorf of Konigsberg: 

October— Jurburg M. 100.00 

Wilonen 155. 00 

Srednik 339. qo 

Wilki 200.00 

Kovno 600. 00 

Total M. 1,394.00 



REPORT ON TRIP THROUGH COURLAND AND LITHUANIA. 

December 12 to 31, 1916. 

Dr. Paul Nathan and Dr. Bernard Kahn undertook a trip on behalf of the 
Judisches Hilfskomite fiir Polen through Courland and Lithuania from December 
12 to 31, 1915. 

Introduction. 

The situation of the Jews in the districts visited, with the exception of 
Courland, is worse even than in Poland. Even though the people in Poland have 
become impoverished, there are autonomous Jewish communities which are 
able to raise some of the funds for cultural and charitable purposes through 
taxation. 

There are no such autonomous Jewish communities in other parts of Russia. 
Jewish communal and charitable needs are met by voluntary contributions and 
by two forms of taxes especially imposed on the Jews: the so-called candle tax 
and the meat tax. 

The candle tax is only nominally the old tax on Sabbath candles. It is 
really a more recent and direct tax imposed by the authorities upon the Jews. 
The revenue from these taxes covers about one-half of the cost of maintaining 
the schools and similar cultural undertakings. 

The meat tax is an indirect tax, assessed upon each head of cattle slaughtered. 
What was left of these taxes after passing through the hands of the police admin- 
istration was devoted to various Jewish charitable purposes. 

Most of the Jewish charitable institutions had depended upon the meat 
tax. Many of them also owned real estate, from which the rents were devoted 
to charity. 

It has not been possible to maintain the meat and candle taxes under the 
German administration except in a few places. In Vilna, for example, the meat 
tax is still in force. The income from the rents of houses owned by the charitable 
societies has fallen off almost completely. 

Then, again, the communities in Lithuania have not the financial resources 
of the Polish communities, nor are they able to raise funds for charitable uses 
through municipal loans or investments in municipal bonds as the Polish com- 
munities do. An experiment in Bialystok with a municipal loan failed com- 
pletely. It is true that in Poland the municipal securities have depreciated 
considerably, but their purchasing value is nevertheless increasing. In Bialystok 
the municipal securities purchased are worthless, as anyone accepting them as 
legal tender is liable to imprisonment. 

These conditions have increased the general distress, already aggravated 
by the commercial standstill and the heavy requisitions from which the Jewish 
population has suffered most. 



76 . Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

The better-to-do Jews have almost all left the country, not so much of their 
own free will, but because of the pressure of the retreating Russians. It is obvious 
that the possibilities of raising funds to maintain the charitable institutions and 
to relieve the suffering in Lithuania, are much slimmer than in Poland. We 
must therefore make larger grants here than in the Polish districts west of the 
Vistula. 

Courland. 

Courland has a population of about 700,000, of whom 50,000 (or 7.5 percent.) 
are Jews. Four-fifths of the Jews were driven out by the Russians, so that only 
10,000 to 11,000 were able to remain. About 8,000 are in Libau. 

Cities which had large Jewish communities have now few or no Jews, as, 
for instance, Mitau, with a former Jewish population of 7,000; Tuktum, 2,000; 
Windau, 4,000; Pilken and Talsen, each 1,000; Frauenberg, 4,000; Goldingen, 
3,000. All of the Jews of Kantau, Zabel and Sasniki — 500 in each town — were 
driven out. Three thousand Jews were either expelled from lUukst, or left on 
account of the military operations. 

The Jews remained undisturbed only in Hasenpot and Polangen, where 
each community numbered about 1,000, as also in a few small places like Grobin, 
near the German border, which were occupied so early in the war that the Russians 
had no time to expel the Jews. 

The condition of the Jews of Courland in normal times is very fair. As 
only old settlers had the right of domicile there, a large influx of Jews was impos- 
sible. There being no congestion in the Jewish community, competition was 
not too keen, and the dire poverty of the overcrowded cities of Poland, Lithuania 
and other parts of the Pale of Settlement was unknown. 

Now, 40,000 or 50,000 of the Jews of Courland are homeless. They 
are wandering hither and thither in Russia. It is doubtful if they will be able 
to return to their homes, even after peace is restored. In any event, their eco- 
nomic condition will inevitably be very bad for a long time thereafter. 

Libau. 

In times of peace, Libau had a poptilation of 80,000 to 90,000, of whom 
11,000 to 12,000 were Jews, 45,000 Letts (Evangelist), 15,C0D Germans, 5,000 
Russians, 3,000 Poles, 15,000 Lithuanians (Catholic). Now the population is 
reduced to 50,000, including 7,000 Jews. The Libau Jews were mostly merchants 
and artisans. Most of the commerce was in Jewish hands. There were large 
export houses, a number of Jewish factories, a very large number of Jewish 
commission merchants and business agents. The situation of the middle-class 
Jews is now extremely wretched. Still, compared with the dreadful lot of the 
Jews of Lithuania, the Jews of Libau are not so badly off, because they are able 
to do without much help from the relief funds — or perhaps it shoiild be said 
that they must do without — the distress elsewhere being so much greater. The 
city of Libau has floated a loan of M. 2,000,000 in the form of municipal bonds 
for relief purposes. 

Lithuania. 

After Libau, the first place to be visited was the city of Schaulen. The 
journey thence took us through a number of smaller places. Wekschnia is a 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 77 

ruin; some of the 2,000 Jews were expelled, others left the town perforce when 
the town was destroyed. Popeliani has 3,000 Jews, only a few are employed, 
the rest are in great need. There are 200 Jews in Schaffkiani. 15,000 of the 
20,000 Jews of Kurschany have lost all their possessions through the partial 

destruction of the city. 

Schaulen. 

Schaulen is desolate. It was a prosperous town of 36,000 inhabitants, 
among them 20,000 Jews. Now it is nothing but a great heap of ruins, after 
having been burnt down b}' the Russians. The principal section was destroyed, 
but a few houses are left on the outskirts. The Jews were all expelled. Instead 
of 20,000 Jews there are left 115 families of 520 souls. Half of these arc former 
residents of Schaulen, the other half from the vicinity who live in some partly 
restored ruins and carry on a small trade with the German soldiery. 

The district east of Schaulen has been hard hit. Many villages were 
completely destroyed. Most of the Jews of the nearby towns were expelled — 
from Ponewiesch, for instance. 

Kovno. 

Kovno had 70,000 inhabitants before the war — 45,000 of them Jews. All 
of the Jews in the fortress of Kovno were expelled by the Russians. During 
the German advance, some of the Kovno Jews returned from Vilna, where they 
had taken refuge. Many others came back from the villages nearby, so that 
there must now be 5,000 to 6,000 Jews in Kovno. Homes and shops were looted 
in the absence of Jewish owners, who often found nothing but bare walls on their 
return. 

The need is overwhelming, and increases daily. New groups of Jews are 
continually returning from various places of refuge. Many come in from the 
vicinity in the hope of finding employment, though the opportunities are very 
few. Arrangements have been made to distribute bread and small sums of 
money. A loan fund has been started. A children's kitchen, a warm lounging 
room and a large public kitchen were in prospect while we were there. The 
necessary funds cannot possibly be raised locally. M. 10,000 a month are abso- 
lutely necessary to meet the most urgent needs. 



Slobodka. 

The distress in Slobodka is appalHng. Slobodka is a suburb of Kovno, 
and the seat of a famous Yeshiba. The town is a collection of wooden huts 
with a normal population of 10,000, mostly Jews. There are only about 5,000 
to 6,000 Jews left. People's kitchens must be opened there as well, and head- 
quarters established for the distribution of suppHes. M. 5,000 are needed for 

these purposes. • , i-r 

To restore Kovno and Slobodka to their important place m Jemsli Me, 
the Jewish schools and seminaries should be given especial consideration. At 
the very least, the teachers and pupils must be given the preference in the 
distribution of supplies, etc. 



78 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

VUna. 

Vilna, the chief city of Lithuania, had 200,000 inhabitants before the war — 
over half of them Jews. Vilna has always been a city where Jewish misery was 
obviously poignant. Conditions are now a hundred times worse than ever. 
The population has dwindled to 150,000, about half being Jews. About 30,000 
Jews and 20,000 non-Jews must therefore have left the city. 

Soon after the war began, Vilna became a centre for refugees from Poland 
and Lithuania. A refugees' relief committee was organized in August, 1914, 
to take care of the refugees who either passed through the city or remained. 
Over 150,000 refugees have come to Vilna. At the time of the entry of the 
Germans, there were still 22,000 of them in the city. 

The figures cited are only for the poor refugees. Large numbers of well-to-do 
people with means of their own are not included. The income of the Vilna relief 
committee from its inception was about 808,000 roubles: 404,200 roubles were 
contributed by the Jewish ReUef Committee of Petrograd, 85,000 roubles by 
the Grand Duchess Tatiana Relief Committee, 8,200 roubles by the municipal 
administration of Vihia, 2,000 roubles by the All-Russian Mimicipal League, 
and there were collections amounting to 25,161 roubles. The rest came from 
various sources, including a round 100,000 roubles realized by the Food and 
Fuel Commission. At the time of our visit they had 2,050 roubles on hand, 
with a minimum budget of 25,000 roubles a month to meet the most urgent needs. 

At the time of the German occupation on Septem.ber 18, 1915, there were, 
as above stated, 22,000 Jewish refugees in Vilna, who came from 150 places. 
All except 4,660 were repatriated at the expense of the reHef committee. Of 
those who remained, 915 were lodged in public shelters at a cost of 4,436 roubles 
a month. 3,400 persons were placed in private houses at 10 kopeks a day each: 
340 roubles a day, or 10,200 roubles a month. In addition, 710 refugees receive 
meals from the people's kitchens at 9 kopeks each — 64 roubles a day, or 1,920 a 
month. 

Just as in Warsaw, the distress increased rapidly after the occupation of 
the city. All the factories were shut down, affecting 15,000 Jewish workers. 
Commerce came to a standstill, food rose to famine prices, and there was general 
unemployment. The institutions which must be maintained for the Vilna 
population and the refugees are the following: 

(1) Ten sheltering houses: monthly maintenance of 

1,000 persons R. 4,436 

(2) A public kitchen for 1,400 children: monthly. . 4,500 

(3) Two children's homes for 500 to 600 children. 

(The children are fed in the children's 

kitchens) 300 

' (4) Care of refugees impossible to repatriate: 190 

monthly 2,300 

(5) For insane (originally 70—30 having smce 

died) 40 monthly 600 

(6) For care of sick: monthly 900 

(7) For care of (full) orphans 300 

(8) Lodging of refugees in private homes : monthly. 10,000 

(9) For wives of reservists 15,000 

(10) For people's kitchens 3,000 

(11) Additional grants for people's kitchens, open air 

kitchens and workingmen ' s kitchens- -monthly 500 

Total per month R. 41,836 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 79 

There is a whole series of Jewish institutions besides. Then there is the 
task of finding means for the care of the shame-faced poor. For the present 
these activities can somehow be taken care of by the Vilna community, though 
with great strain and difficulty. Some funds can still be raised from the Korobka 
(meat tax). The above sum of 40,000 roubles a month, however, must be found 
if the Jewish population of Vilna is not to find itself in extremities. 

The dire poverty of the people is best illustrated by the fact that it has 
become necessary to establish public kitchens in the streets of Vilna, where 
thousands crowd for the little water soup that often serves as a day's rations. 
The health of the population is greatly affected by these circumstances. The 
mortality rate for 1915 has doubled, and is still rising, though the population 
has decreased by a third. 

The district around Vilna, thickly dotted with Httle Jewish villages, has 
suffered severely as well. 



Lida. 

The normal population of Lida is 12,000, of whom 8,000 are Jews. There 
are only 8,000 left, including 6,000 Jews. Every means of livelihood has been 
cut off, the people have eaten up their savings and are destitute. Bread and 
other supplies must be distributed. An appropriation of M. 3,000 a month is 
necessary. 

Grodno. 

Grodno had a population of 60,000, including 40,000 Jews. There are 
only 24,000 people left in Grodno, of whom 18,000 are Jews. A public kitchen 
has been opened, which serves 180 midday meals free. Headquarters must be 
established for distribution of bread and wood, and a kitchen is needed for the 
shame-faced poor. This will require M. 10,000 a month. The numerous villages 
in the vicinity also need substantial assistance. 



Bialystok. 

-Bialystock, with its 100,000 inhabitants (of whom 80,000 were Jews), is the 
manufacturing and industrial centre of Lithuania. In normal times, the indus- 
trious Jewish population is in fairly good circumstances. Now the situation 
is very precarious. About 30,000 Jews of the well-to-do class have left the city. 
Thousands and thousands of destitute Jews have streamed into the city from 
far and near, so that Bialystock to-day harbors 70,000 Jews. The poverty is 
extreme. The people's kitchen provides 3,300 midday meals daily, at a cost of 
M. 20,000 a month. For other relief purposes and for suppHes at least IM. 10,000 
a month are necessary. The maintenance of a separate workingmen's kitchen 
requires M. 2,000 a month. The community has reorganized itself under the 
German administration, with the right to assess taxes, so that hereafter some 
income is to be looked for. However, M. 20,000 a month still appears to be 
the sum necessary for the various institutions. 

The distress in the \ncinity of Bialystok is likewise very great. 



Jews 
212,666 
280,489 
204,686 


Per 
Cent. 
13.77 
17.49 
12.86 



80 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

SUMMARY. 
Lithuania. 

The Lithuanian districts occupied by the Germans comprise the following 
provinces : 

Total 
Population 

(1) Kovno 1,544,564 

(2) Grodno 1,603,409 

(3) Vilna 1,591,207 

4,739,180 697,841 10.51 

(4) A small section of the provinces of Minsk and Pinsk may be left 

out of consideration, as a small part of the Province of Vilna 
is still in Russian hands, so that the figures for the respective 
populations offset each other. 

Of the 700,000 Lithuanian Jews, about one-fourth were 
expelled, and 125,000 voluntarily followed the retreating 
Russian army. We have therefore to reckon with the 400,000 
to 450,000 Jews still in Lithuania. Half of the Lithuanians 
are in sore need of relief, and the distress grows from day to 
day. 
Courland. 

Courland included 50,000 Jews among its 700,000 inhabitants. 40,000 were 
expelled. 

The absolute minimum needed monthly in each of the cities and provinces 
will be listed in a later statement. 

For the present, the sum absolutely necessary for 

Lithuania is M. 125,000 monthly 

For the north Polish provinces of Lomzha and 

Suwalki 25,000 monthly 

Hitherto we have allowed for Poland west of the 
Vistula M. 45,000 a month. With the in- 
creasing distress, we must raise the figure to 
at least 71,500 monthly 



Total needed for relief in Poland and 

Lithuania M. 221,500 monthly 

If it be realized that these M. 221,500 a month are intended to feed a starving 
population of three-quarters of a million, it will be obvious that this seemingly 
large sum will have to be spread out very thinly. 

Unfortunately, we must expect to furnish relief for a long time to come, 
and therefore feel compelled to limit ourselves to the above-mentioned monthly 
appropriations. 

FINANCIAL SURVEY. 

Up to date the following sums have been disbursed: 

(1) For Kalisch, Mk. 35,000, of which two-thirds from 

the Jiidisches Hilfskom _. Mk. 23,333. 30 

Separate remittances from the Jiidisches Hilfs- 
kom 3,100.00 

(2) For Lodz and vicinity, Mk. 85,000, of which two- 

thirds from the Judisches Hilfskom 56,666.80 

Separate remittance from the Judisches Hilfskom 5,000. 00 

(3) For Provinces of Chenstochav, Dombrova, Zawierce, 

Bendzin and vicinity, Mk. 67,500, of which 

two-thirds from the Jiidisches Hilfskom. . . . 45,000.00 

(4) For Provinces of Lomzha and Suwalki, Mk. 65,000, 

of which two-thirds from the Jiidisches 

Hilfskom 43,333. 40 



Judisches Hilfskomiti fur Polen. 81 

(5) For Tomaschov, Mk. 20,000, of which one-third from 

the Judisches Hilfskom Mk. 6,666. 70 

(6) For Warsaw: 

Separate remittance from the Judisches Hilfskom 50,000. 00 

Separate remittance from the Judisches Hilfskom 10,000. 00 

Mk. 20,000, of which two-thirds from the 

Judisches Hilfskom 13,333. 35 

(7) For Bendzin and vicinity, Mk. 50,000, of which 

one-third from the Judisches Hilfskom 16,665. 70 

(8) For Brzeziny, Mk. 15,000, of which one-third from 

the Judisches Hilfskom 5,000. 00 

(9) For Konin, Mk. 5,000, of which one-third from the 

Judisches Hilfskom 1,665.00 

(10) For Plotzk, Mk. 10,000, of which one-third from the 

Judisches Hilfskom 3,335. 00 

(11) For Vilna: 

Separate remittance from the Judisches Hilfskom 10,000. 00 

(12) For Szczuczyn, from the Judisches Hilfskom 5,000.00 

(13) For Biala, Lukow (Jews from Brest- Litovsk), 

from the Judisches Hilfskom 2,000. 00 

(14) For Schaulen, from the Judisches Hilfskom 1,000. 00 

(15) For Wieruschow, from the Judisches Hilfskom 1,000.00 

(16) For Sanniki, from the Judisches Hilfskom 2,000.00 

Mk. 304,099725 

All told 461,600 Marks were spent for the Jews of the above-mentioned 
provinces. Of this sum, the Interconfessional Committee for Poland contributed 
157,500.75 M. and the Judisches Hilfscomite fiir Polen 304,099.25 M. 

For the month of January, 1916, we intend to distribute the following 
amounts : 

A. For Poland. 

(1) For Lodz, hitherto, Mk. 5,000 Mk. 7,500. 00 

(2) For vicinity of Lodz 5,000. 00 

(3) For Chenstochov, Dombrova, etc., hitherto, Mk, 

7,000 10,000.00 

(4) For Warsaw, hitherto, Mk. 10,000 15,000. 00 

(5) For Kalisch, hitherto, Mk. 2,500 4,000. 00 

(6) A group of smaller towns between Lodz and War- 

saw 10,000. 00 

(7) PoHsh border country near Konigsberg, Thorn. 

Memel, 5,000 10,000. 00 

(8) For Refugees in Poland 10,000. 00 

(9) For Provinces of Lomzha and Suwall<i 25,000.00 

Mk. 96,500.00 
B. For Lithuania. ==^== 

(1) For Vilna Mk. 50,000.00 

(2) For small towns in the vicinity of Vilna and Schaulen 5,000. 00 

(3) For Kovno with Slobodka 15,000. 00 

(4) For Vicinity of Kovno 5.000. 00 

(5) For Grodno 10,000.00 

(6) For vicinity of Grodno 3,000. 00 

(7) ForBialystok ^^'nnnnn 

(8) For vicinity of Bialystok 5,000. 00 

(9) ForLida 3,000.00 

(10) ForPinsk 4,000.00 

(11) For villages near the front • &,u uu. uu 

Mk. 125,000.00 

The sum of M. 211,500 has therefore been spent for Poland and Lithuania 
for the month of January. At least as much must be had for the months 
following. 



82 Reports Received hy Joint Distribution Committee. 

REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES UP TO THE PRESENT. 

General. 

The Hilfskomite fur Polen, which, since the beginning of the 
activities, has managed the reHef money from the United States, 
has expended: 

To December 31, 1915. M. 304,099.25 

From January 1, 1916— April 26, 1916 1,592,179. 34 

In May, up to the present (until May 15) 584,314.80 

Total M. 2,480,595.39 



Up to this time, the monthly expenditures have grown to over 
M. 500,000, with which were assisted 

Cities and Districts in Poland 129 

Cities and Districts in Lithuania 123 

Total 252 



In these are found about 130 peoples' kitchens, 50 children 
and school kitchens, 30 tea and refreshment halls and other nimierous 
public accommodations, besides sanitary accommodations for the 
benefit of the hungry and sick. 

Several hospitals also had to be assisted, on account of the 
growth of epidemic sicknesses. 

The names of the districts and the amount of relief work of the 
industrial cities are included in this report. 

Unfortunately, the need in the occupied districts has increased. 
The reasons for this are manifold. 

(1) The scant provisions which were on hand in the occupied districts, 
are decreasing more and more. The months before the new crops are always 
the hardest. The limited supplies from the neutral countries are now almost 
gone. For the Jewish population, these supplies were not of especial value, 
because the pork fats supplied could not be used by them. 

Lately, we have had to use a great deal of effort to bring food 
to Poland and Lithuania, instead of the money, or in addition to 
money. In April and May, food for about M. 100,000 (for Passover 
and Matzos) sent by us to the occupied districts. 

(2) The means of the communities (Warsaw, Lodz, etc.), and all the 
existing charitable institutions, gradually became exhausted, so that the various 
places could hardly contribute any of their own means for relief of the needy. 
Besides this, the few remaining wealthy families could contribute vey little 
of their own private means, as they have very little credit at their disposal. 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 83 

And the middle class (intelligent), and the smaller dealers and merchants are 
fallmg more and more into the pitiful condition of the proletariat. 

_ (3) With the long duration of the war, the last possibilities to carry on 
business or_ to find employment are disappearing. The number of unemployed 
and needy is constantly increasing. 

We are face to face with an ever-increasing need, where all 
help seems insignificant. The condition of the combined population, 
and especially the Jews, becomes sadder day by day. 

The mortality in the entire occupied district has been tripled 
and quadrupled, although the German military board of health 
does everything possible within human power. In Warsaw, for 
instance, in August, 1915, and in the prececing year, the mortality 
average was 15 per thousand; today the mortality has increased 
to over 35 per thousand. In the places and districts where less 
favorable sanitary and other accommodations exist, the percentage 
of the mortality has become even higher. 

The conditions have become worse of late, through the English 
seizing all moneys and checks w^hich are sent by people in America 
to their relatives in Poland and Lithuania. These sums amounted, 
in the last months, to 500,000-600,000 Marks monthly; now no 
more is being received. The English do not let through any more 
mail with enclosures of money and checks, and the condition of the 
civil population, who can receive neither money nor sustenance 
from relatives abroad, is made frightfully worse. 

The centers of distress are: 



I, In Poland. 

(Exclusive of the Government of Suwalki, which we count to Lithuania, as it 
seems to be under its management, and the governments of Radom, Kielce, 
Lublin and part of the Government of Cholm, which belong to the Austrian 
jurisdiction) : 

(1) Lodz and its environs, to the German frontier (Kalisch). 

Particularly sad is the condition in the Lodz district 
Brzeziny. There are about 200,000 Jews in the district, 
among which half are more or less suffering distress. 
Monthly expenditures necessary about M. 40,000.00 

(2) Warsaw and its environs, with 500,000 Jews, of which 

200,000 are in complete distress. Monthly expenditures, 

about 235,000.00 

(3) The district of Dombrow, Czenstochau, Bendzm, Sosnowitz 

and environs, with 150,000 Jews, of which 75,000 are in 

more or less distress. Monthly expenditures, about 12,000.00 

(4) The Polish Government Lomza, with 75,000 Jews (in times 

of peace about 110,000 Jews), of which 40,000 are m ^„ „„ „„ 

complete distress. Monthly expenditures, about 20.000 . 00 

Total monthly expenditures, about M. 307,000.00 



84 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

II. In Lithuania. 

(1) Wilna and its environs, with 125,000 Jews (in times of 

peace, 210,000 Jews), of which 75,000 are in complete 

distress. Monthly expenditures amount to about M. 120,000.00 

(2) Kowno and its environs, with 75,000 Jews (in time of 

peace, 215,000 Jews) — 50,000 in complete distress (in- 
cluding the district of Schaulen and environs). Monthly 
expenditures, about 30,000.00 

(3) Grodno and environs, with 150,000 Jews (in time of peace, 

200,000 Jews), of which 80,000 are in distress. Monthly 

expenditures, about 70,000.00 

(4) Suwalki and environs, with 60,000 Jews (in times of peace, 

85,000 Jews), of which 30,000 are in distress. Monthly 

expenditures, about 30,000.00 

Total monthly expenditures, about M. 250,000.00 

III. Care of Refugees. 

A separate class of suffering Jews must be particulariy brought 
into prominence. There are some whose native cities have been 
completely destroyed (as Brest-Litowsk) ; others whose native 
cities are near the firing line (as Pinsk, Slonim), and who originate 
from other places of the long front from the southern part of Riga, 
down to Luzk. These homeless Jews are poorly sheltered in the 
various townships, particularly in the Government of Grodno 
(Kobryn, Antopol, Bielsk, Biala, Ciechanowetz), in the Governments 
of Siedletz and Warsaw (Ltd^ow, Radzyn, Mienzyrzec), and also 
in the Government of Lom.za (mainly in Lorriza alone), etc. Their 
number seems to be about 30,000. It is constantly increasing by 
the restmiption of the war activities, for which naturally more 
districts are always being cleared. These evacuated and refugees 
need particular care. Even if the German military authorities 
show them some consideration, their condition is still very sad indeed. 
We are forming a special organization for those on the road. During 
the last month, the expenditiu-es for these most needy amounted 
to 20,000 Marks. 

An important increase in this sum will be required for the 

following months: 

POLAND. 

(Exclusive of Suwalki, which is counted to Lithuania, and the Austrian districts, 
Government of Lublin, Kielce, Radom and part of Cholm). 

District Date Amoimt Applied to 

1. Antopol April 18 M.2,000 . 00 District poor. 

2. Baranowitschi. . . . Mar. 19 600.00 Free distribution of provisions. 

April 11 600.00 Hospital nursing and medical 
help. 



Judisches Hilfskomite Jiir Polen. 



85 



District 



Date Amount 



Applied to 



9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 

13. 

14. 
15. 
16. 



17. 



18. 
19. 
20. 



21. 

22. 

23. 
24. 



Bendzin Mar. 19 M. 1,000.00 

April 20 500.00 

Baila Mar. 10 500.00 

April 12 1,000.00 
2,000.00 



Mar. 10 
Blaschki April 18 

Bolimow April 14 

Brzeziny April 18 

Burzenin | 

Szadek I April 14 

Zloczew I 

Warta J 

Chorzale Mar. 19 

April 11 
Dobrzyn April 5 

April 14 

Garwolin April 14 

Glowno April 14 

Gora Kalwaria.. . . Mar. 19 

April 11 

Grajewo Mar. 19 

AprU 11 

Janow April 14 

Jezioma April 14 

Kalisch Mar. 16 

Mar. 19 
April 10 



Kobryn April 14 

Konstantynow . . . Mar. 

(near Lodz) April 

Kozminek April IS 

Kutno April 14 



For Talmud-Torah (Kitchens). 

Jewish Ladies' Society. 

Public Kitchens. 

Public Kitchens. 

Refugees from Brcst-Litowsk — 
for Passover. 
500.00 Passover distribution. 
300.00 Homeless (except Brest). 
500 . 00 Brest refugees. 
500 . 00 Cheap Kitchens . . 250 . 00 

Cheap Tea Halls. 50.00 

Money assistance. 200 . 00 

500.00 

500 .00 Repairing destroyed 

buildings 250.00 

Provisions bought 250.00 

56or.6o 



5,000.00 


Jewish poor kitchens. 


1,000.00 


District poor. 




Zloczew, 325.00 received 




(Cheap peoples' kitchens). 


2,000.00 


District poor. 


2,500.00 




500.00 


District poor for March. 


500.00 




500.00 


District poor. 


500.00 


District poor. 


2,000.00 


District poor. 


3,000.00 


District poor. Increase for 




Passover. 


2,000.00 


Provision stores. 


2,000.00 


Cheap kitchens. 




Assistance to district poor. 


.500.00 


District poor. 


500.00 


District poor. 


600.00 


Talmud-Torah (kitchens). 


4,000.00 




0,000.00 


(Increase for Passover). 




Public kitchens. 




Distribution of food products to 




the poor. 




Asylum for the aged. 




Assistance to deserving poor. 




Cash loans. 




Girls' home. 




Denominational expenses. 




Matzos for Passover. 


600.00 


For Passover distribution. 


350.00 


District poor. 



350.00 

500.00 

2,000.00 



District poor. 
Public kitchens. 
Tea halls. 
Care of the sick. 
Asylum for poor. 
Wives of reserves. 
Talmud-Torah. 
Ladies' Society. 
Fighting disease. 



86 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 





District 


Date 


Amount 


Applied to 


25. 


Lask (near Lodz).. 


March 
April 


M. 500.00 
500.00 


District poor. 


26. 


Lodz 


Mar. 19 


7,500.00 


Benevolent society. 






April 11 


25,000.00 


Benevolent society. . . 15,000.00 

Chief Rabbi Triest- 
man (separate Pass- 
over kitchens .)... . 6,500.00 

Passover kitchens for 
workmen 3,500.00 




25,000.00 






April 11 


900.00 


Passover increase for environs. 


27, 


Lomianki 


April 18 


500.00 


District poor and refugees. 


28. 


Lomza 


Mar. 19 
April 11 


3,000.00 
3,000.00 
2,000.00 


Extra for refugees. 



29. Losize Mar. 19 

April 11 

30. Lowicz April 14 

31. Lukow Mar. 19 

April 11 

32. Lutomirsk March 

(near Lodz) April 

33. Maciejowice April 14 

34. Miendzyrzec April 14 

35. Mielnik April 18 

36. Motol April 14 

37. Maczonow Mar. 19 



38. Nowo-Miaste April 14 



500.00 

500.00 

500.00 

2,000.00 

2,000.00 

500.00 
500.00 
500.00 

2,500.00 
525.00 
500.00 

1,000.00 



800.00 



39. 


Nowogrodek.. . . 


. . Mar. 19 


2,000.00 






Mar. 30 


300.00 






April 11 


4,000.00 


40. 


Ostrolenka 


. . Mar. 19 


1,000.00 






AprU 11 


2,000.00 



41. Ostrow 

42, Ozarkow. . . 

(at Lodz) 



April 18 

March 

April 



500.00 
600.00 
600.00 



Assistance of refugees and fam- 
ilies of reserves, assistance of 
poor, Talmud - Torah, hos- 
pital, home for the aged. 

District poor. 

District poor. 

Public kitchens, medical help. 

Public kitchens, medical help. 

Care of refugees. 

District poor. 

District poor. 
Refugees. 
District poor. 
District poor. 

Tea halls 300.00 

Assistance to poor 

Jewish population 

(sums of 2-25 M.) 700.00 

1,000.00 

Public kitchens 300 . 00 

Bread and food dis- 
tribution 400.00 

For poor travelers. ... 100 . 00 

800.00 

District poor. 

For workmen's kitchens. 

(Increase for Passover.) 

District poor around Ostrolenka. 

(Increase for Passover). 

Distributed in: 

Ostrolenka 500.00 

Myszyniec 250.00 

Goworowo 125 . 00 

Czerwin 125.00 

(March) 1,000.00 

District poor and refugees. 

District poor and refugees. 



Judisches Hilfskomiti fiir Polen. 



87 



District 



Date 



Amount 



Applied to 



43. Pabianice. . 

(at Lodz) 

44. Pinsk 



March 
April 
April 16 



M. 



Mar. 14 

45. Plock Mar. 19 

April 11 

46. Praschnitz Mar. 19 

April 11 

47. Pultusk Mar. 19 

April 11 



48. Radzilow April 18 

49. Radzymin April 17 

50. Rozana April 18 



51. Ryki April 14 

52. Sakrotschim April 18 

53. Shirardow April 18 

54. Siedlec April 18 

55. Sieradz Mar. 19 



April 3 

56. Skierniewice Mar. 19 

57. Slupca April 18 

58. Sochaczew April 14 



600.00 
600.00 
1,000.00 
1,000.00 
2,000.00 
1,000.00 
1,000.00 
1,900.00 
1,000.00 

1,900.00 
2,000.00 
4,000.00 



2,000.00 
4,000.00 



500 . 00 
1,000.00 

500.00 
1,000.00 



1,200.00 

500.00 
1,000.00 
2,000.00 
1,500.00 



2,000.00 

1,000.00 

300.00 

2,000.00 



District poor and refugees. 

Public schools. 
Public kitchens. 
Assisting district poor. 
Distribution of food. 
Distribution of food. 
Distribution of food. 
Children's home. 
Public kitchens. 

District poor. 

Distribution of bread, potatoes, 

matzos for Passover, religious 

schools. 

(Increase for Pass- 
over). 

Cheap kitchens 1 ,000 . 00 

Assistance for home- 
less 350.00 

"BaisLechem" 200.00 

Small contributions. . 450.00 



2,000.00 

District poor. 

Kindergarten for refugees. 

Refugees mainly. 

Children's home (soup 
kitchens and sick- 
nursing) 150.00 

Rehabilitating refu- 
gees 95.00 

Brest refugees 75.00 

Talmud-Torah . 60.00 

Institution for in- 
valids 40.00 

Cheap kitchens 580.00 

1,000.00 
District poor, refugees and 

reserves. 
District poor. 
District poor. 
District poor. 

Cash contributions.. . 370.00 
Distribution of food . . 359 . 00 
Children's home 771.00 

1,500.00 

District poor, for Passover. 

District poor, for Passover. 

District poor, distributed on 

April 23 500.00 

Mayl 1,500.00 

2,000.00 



88 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



District 



Date Amount 



Applied to 



59. Strykow March 

(near Lodz) April 

60. Szczuczyn Lomza. Mar. 19 

April 11 



M 



500.00 

500.00 

5.000.00 

10,000.00 



District poor. 



Increase for Passover. 
Distributed around Szczuczyn 
in: 

Szczuczyn, 

Wonsocz, 

Gonionds, 

Rajgrod. 



61. 


Tomaschow 


April 18 


2,000.00 


District poor, refugees. 




62. 


Tuschyn 


April 18 


500.00 


Children's kitchens.. . 
Sanitary Commission. 
Wives of reserves. . . . 
District poor 


250.00 

100.00 

50.00 

100.00 






500.00 


63. 


Warki 


April 14 


1,000.00 


District poor. 




64. 


Wischkow 


April 14 


1,000.00 


Refugees from Pinsk. 




65. 


Wiskitki 


April 14 


500.00 


District poor. 




66. 


Wlodawa. 


April 18 


2,000.00 


Cheap kitchens. 
Care of refugees. 




70. 


Zelaw 


March 


400.00 


District poor. 






(near Lodz) 


April 


400.00 






71. 


Zgierz 


March 


500.00 


District poor. 






(near Lodz) 


April 


500.00 






72. 


Alexandrowo 


Mar. 9 


1,000.00 


District poor. Extra for com- 




(near Lodz) 


Mar. 
April 


250.00 
250.00 


bating diseases. 




73. 


For frontier dis- 


Mar. 19 


2,000.00 


Distributed in these cities: 




trict at Thorn. 






Alexandrowo. 








April 11 


2,000.00 


Ciechocinek, 

Kutno, 

Nieszawa, 

Piotrkowo, 

Radziejewo, 

Sierpc, 

Sluzewo, 












for their district poor and 










public kitchens. 




74. 


Districts of Sos- 
nowitz, Czensto- 
chau, Dombro- 












wa, etc 


Mar. 19 


10,000.00 










April 11 


15,000.00 


(Increase for Passover) 








April 18 


9,721.34 


For food in these districts. 


75. 


For small places at 












the front 


April 18 


300.00 






76. 


For small places in 
the district of the 












Bug- Army 


April 10 


3,100.00 






77. 


Environs of War- 












saw 


April 11 


5,000.00 







Judisches Hilfskomite fur Pol en. 



89 



District 




Date Amount 


Applied to 


78. Warsaw. . . 


out for 
out for 


Mar. 16M.40,000.00 
Mar. 28 13,661.35 
Mar. 25 250,000.00 
April 11 25,000.00 
April 26 1,500.00 


Society of Jewish authors. 
(Increase for Passover). 

For school kitchens. 




M. 568,307.69 
1,000.00 






M. 569,307.69 


• 


From this, paid 
From this, paid 


March.... 117,261.35 
April 452,046.34 






M. 569,307.69 





Expended in May. 



1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 
26. 
27. 
28. 
29. 
30. 
31. 
32. 
33. 
34. 



Antopol M. 2,000.00 

Baranowitschi 600 . 00 

Blaschki 500.00 

Bolimow 500.00 

Chorzele 2,500.00 

Dobrzyn 500.00 

Garwolin 500.00 

Glowno 500.00 

Gora-Kalwaria 2 ,000 . 00 

Jeziorna 500.00 

Kutno 2,000.00 

Lodz and vicinity 14,100.00 

Lomza ' 5,000.00 

Losize 500.00 

Lowicz 500.00 

Lukow 5,000.00 

Maciejowice 500.00 

Miendzyrzec 3,500.00 

Motol 500.00 

Msczonow 1,000.00 

Nowo-Miaste 800.00 

Nowogrodek 2,000.00 

Ostrolenka 1,000.00 

Plock 1,000.00 

Praschnitz 6,000.00 

Tanow 500.00 

Pultusk 2,000.00 

Radzymin 1,500.00 

RyW: 1,200.00 

Sieradz 2,500.00 

Sochaczew 2.000.00 

Swislotz 1,500.00 

Szczuczyn 5.000.00 

Graiewo 2.000.00 



35. 
36. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 
44. 
45. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 
50. 
51. 
52. 
53. 
54. 
55. 
56. 
57. 
58. 
60. 



61. 
02. 



Warsaw M. 200,000. 00 

Warsaw district 5,000 .00 

Warki 1,000.00 

Wischkow 1,000.00 

Wiskitki 500.00 

Wsielub 1,500.00 

Wyszogrod 1,000.00 

Zdunska-Wola 1,500 .00 

Kozminek 500.00 

Mielnik 500.00 

Ostrow 500.00 

Radzilow .500.00 

Rozana 1,000.00 

Sakrotschim 500.00 

Shirardow 1,000.00 

Siedletz 2,000.00 

Tomaschow 4,000 . 00 

Tuschyn 500.00 

Wlodawa 2,000.00 

Kaluschyn 1,000.00 

Parzonczow 500 . 00 

Skierniewice 1,000 .00 

Slupca 300.00 

Kalisch 6,000.00 

Districts of Czensto- 

chau, Sosnowice, 

Bendzin, Dombrowa, 

etc 10,000.00 

Frontier district near 

Thorn 2.000.00 

Points in territory of 

Army of Bug River . 5,000 .00 

M. 322,000.00 



90 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

LITHUANIA. 

(Including Kurland and Polish Government Suwalki). 
(Upper-East). 





District 


March 


April 


Applied to 




1. 


Augustowo M. 1,000.00 M. 1,000.00 






2. 


Bakalarzewo — 


1,000.00 


1,250.00 


(Increased for Passover). 


s 


Bialystok 

Bielica 

Bielsk 


20,000.00 








4 




1,000.00 
7,500.00 


(Increased for Passo^ 




5. 


5,000.00 


vex), for 










Bielsk, Bocki, Orla. 




6. 


Bitten 


1,000.00 


1,000.00 






7 


Bocki 

Briansk 






See Bielsk. 




8. 


1,500.00 


1,500.00 




q 


Dereczyn 

Filipowo 




1,000.00 






10. 


1,000.00 


1,250.00 


(Increased for Passover). 


11 


Gerwjaty 

Girtakol 

Grodno 






See Worn] any. 




T? 






See Rossienie. 
March distribution: 




13. 


10,000.00 


15,000.00 








(Increased foi 


Deserving poor... M. 


2,400.00 








Passover) 


Children's home. . . 
Home for the aged. 
Kitchens for the 

poor 

Talmud Torah and 

Yeschiboth 

Society for Sick 

Nursing 

Families of reserves 
Distribution o f 

wood 

Distribution o f 

bread 

Suburb : 

Kitchens for the 
poor 

Distribution of 
wood 

Distribution of 
bread 

Sick-nursing 

M. : 


300.00 
1,875.00 

1,850.00 

625.00 

240.00 
750.00 

500.00 

750.00 

375.00 

125.00 

150.00 
60.00 




10,000.00 


14 


Indura 

Iwje 




500.00 
500.00 


For refugees. 




15. 


500.00 




16. 


Kalwaria 


500.00 


500.00 






17 


Karelitze 

Kielmy 




500.00 
500.00 


For refugees. 




18. 


500.00 




19. 


Knyschyn 


1,500.00 


1,500.00 






20. 


Kowno and Slo- 
botka 


15,000.00 












300.00 




Talmud-Torah (kitche 


ns). 








15,000.00 






21. 


Lunno - Wola 
(Krynki) 




1,000.00 













Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 



91 





District 


March 


April 


Applied to 


22. 


Libau 


M. 


4,000.00 


For City of Libau.. M. 1,500.00 
Goldingen and small 

places in the 

vicinity of Libau . . . 2 ,500 . 00 

M. 4,000.00 


23. 


Lida 


..M. 3,000.00 


3,000.00 




24. 


Mariampol. . . 


500.00 


500.00 




25. 


Olschany 


500.00 


500.00 




26. 


Orany 


500.00 
400.00 


500.00 

"'566;66 

1,000.00 


• 

Through Rabbi Sally Levi extra 
for Passover. 


'^Z 


Orla 

Osjory 






See Bielsk. 


?8 




500.00 




?q 


Oszmiana. . . . 


1,200.00 




Additional expense, doubled 






1,200.00 


5,000.00 


because of Passover: 



42. 



43. 
44. 
45. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 



Jewish public 

kitchens M. 3,700.00 

Teachers of Jewish 

schools... 200.00 

Jewish district poor 800 . 00 

Deserving poor. ... 100.00 

Other help 200.00 



30 


Pojurze 

Preny 

Pruzana 

Punsk 

Rossienie 

Simno 

Skaudwile 

Skidel 

Slonim 

Sokolka 

Sopozkin 

Suchowola 




500.00 

500.00 

1,500.00 

1,250.00 


M. 5,000.00 


31. 
32. 
33. 
S4 


500.00 
1,-500.00 
1,000.00 


(Increased for Passover). 

See frontier districts of Lith- 


35. 
36 


500.00 
500.00 

500.00 

2,000.00 
2,000.00 


500.00 


uania. 
Extra amount placed at dis- 






posal, special for refugees. 
District poor. 


37. 
38. 
39 


500.00 
2,000.00 
2,000.00 
5,000.00 

1,000.00 
1,000.00 


District poor. 

Cheap kitchens, distribution of 


10 




food. 


11 




Small contributions.. M. 856.00 






Talmud-Torah (kit- 
chens) 144.00 



Suwalki 10,000.00 15,000.00 

Sweksznie 300 . 00 300 . 00 

Swenzjany 500 . 00 520 . 00 

Szczuczyn Wilna 500.00 

Schereschowo 1,000.00 

Trostiany 500.00 

Wilkowischki.... 1 1200.00 1,200.00 

Pilwischki j 



M. 1,000.00 
(Increased for Passover), mainly 
for public kitchens, exclusive 
of sufferers in the district. 



92 



Reports Received hy Joint Distribution Committee. 



District 



March 



April 



Applied to 



50. Wilna M. 



100,000.00 

5,000.00 For Israel public hospital. 

M. 100, 000. 00 

5,000.00 For Israel public hospital. 
Distribution : 

For general 

charity.. M. 10,000.00 

Public kitchens 
and children's 
kitchens 29,140.00 

Asylum for chil- 
dren 4,855.00 

Nourishment for 
poor school chil- 
dren 5,350.00 

Assisting the na- 
tive poor fam- 
ilies and pro- 
viding for poor 
orphans 28,020.00 

Sick nursing 3,402.00 

Furnishing work. . 3,5 10 . 00 

Jewish Relief Com- 
mittee for refu- 
gees and war 
sufferers 10,433.00 

Institution for the 

aged 5,290.00 



M. 100,000.00 



6,000.00 6,000.00 



51. Wisamy. . . . 

52. Wolkowysk. 



1,000.00 
2,000.00 



1,250.00 
4,000.00 



Extra allowance to provide for 
the aged. 

(Increased for Passover). 

(Increased for Passover). 

Distributed in the cities around: 

Wolkowysk M. 400.00 

Isabelin 150.00 

Lapenica 150.00 

Mosty 300.00 

Pieski 300.00 

Ros 300.00 

Sielwa 400.00 



53. Wornjany 

54. Woronow 

55. Zaludek 

56. Environs of 

Schaulen 

54. Environs of 

Kowno 

55. Environs of 

Wilna 



500.00 
500.00 



5,000.00 10,000.00 

6,000.00 11,000.00 

2,818.25 



M. 2,000.00 

See Environs of Wilna. 

District poor and refugees. 
Increased for Passover. 
Increased for Passover. 



5,000.00 10,000.00 Increased for Passover. 



Judisches Hilfskomite fiir Polen. 



93 



District 



March 



April 



Applied to 



56. Frontier districts 

of Lithuania. .M. 10,000. OOM. 10,000. 00 

1,800.00 



M. 226,600.00 263,138.25 



Clothing and food for school 
children distributed in 
Districts of: 

Telsze M. 2,000.00 

Wladislawow 1,000.00 

Poiurze 800.00 

Rossienie 800 . 00 

Kalvaria 700.00 

Siady 800.00 

Oszmiana 300.00 

Rajgrod 300.00 

Mariampol 500.00 

Raczki 300.00 

Worny 200.00 

Retowo 200.00 

Janow 200.00 

Przerosli 100.00 

Augustow 800.00 

Divers small 

charities 1,000.00 



M. 10,000.00 



Expended in May. 



10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 
26. 



Alekszyce M. 200 

Augustowo 1 ,000 

Bialystok 20 000 

Bielsk 5,000 

Bitten 1,000 

Briansk 1,500 

Dereczyn 1,000 

Bielica 1,000 

Eischischok 500 

Gorshdy 300 

Grodek 500 

Grodno 10,000 

Indura 500 

Iwje....- 500 

Kalwaria 500 

KareHtze 500 

Kovno and Slobotka. 15,000 

Knyschyn.. 1,500 

Lida 3,000 

Lipnitzky 500 

Lunno-Wola 1.000 

Kielmy 500 

Mariampol 500 

Merecz 1,200 

Mischinietz 500 

Mosheiki 200 



.00 


27. 


.00 


28. 


.00 


29. 


.00 


30. 


.00 


31. 


.00 


32. 


.00 


33. 


.00 


34. 


.00 


35. 


.00 


36. 


.00 


37. 


.00 


38. 


.00 


39. 


.00 


40. 


.00 


41. 


.00 


42. 


.00 


43. 


.00 


44. 


.00 


45. 


.00 


46. 


.00 


47. 


.00 


48. 


.00 


49. 


.00 


50. 


.00 


51, 


.00 


.52. 



Narevka M. 1,000. 00 

Niemokszty 300.00 

Nowy-Dwor 500 .00 

Olita 1,000.00 

Olschany 500.00 

Orany 500.00 

Osery 500.00 

Oszmiana 2,500.00 

Pojurze 500.00 

Preny 500.00 

Pruzana 1,500.00 

Sereje 500.00 

Siemiatysze 500.00 

Skidel 2,000.00 

Skaudwile 500.00 

Simno 500.00 

Slonim 2.000.00 

Sokolka 5,000.00 

Sopozkin 1,000.00 

Suchowola 1,000.00 

Suwalkiand vicinity. 14.000.00 

Sweksznie 300.00 

Swenzjany 1,000.00 

Szczuczyn 1,000.00 

Schcreschewo . . 1 .000 . 00 

Schtabin .".OOOO 



94 Reports Received by Joint "Distribution Committee. 

53. Traby M. 200.00 63. Wysoko-Dwor M. 1,000. 00 

54. Troki-Nowe 1,500 .00 64. Zdzienciol 1,000 .00 

55. Trostiany 500.00 65. Zosle 800.00 

56. Upino 300.00 66. Vicinity of Kowno 1,935.00 

57. Wilkomir 500 .00 67. Vicinity of Schaulen. . 5,000 .00 

58. Wilkowischki and Pil- 68. Vicinity of Wilna... 5,000.00 

wischki 1,200.00 69. Frontier section of 

59. Wilna 111,000.00 Lithuania 10,000.00 

60. Wolkowysk 2,000 .00 

61. Womjany 750.00 M. 251,185.00 

62. Woronow 500.00 



On April 11, 1916, at a meeting of the Joint Distribution Com- 
mittee, attention was directed to some inquiries that had been 
received as to the reUef that was being given to some of the smaller 
cities in the neighborhood of Wilna, etc. 

In reply to the inquiry that was sent in response to these com- 
plaints, the following report has been received, which also includes 
a detailed statement of amounts granted for relief in the 157 cities 
mentioned and the dates on which such relief was paid out. 

ABSTRACT OF A REPORT FROM THE HILFSVEREIN DER 
DEUTSCHEN JUDEN, BERLIN. 

Permit us to reply the following to the letters of April 12th and 
of April 17th from the Joint Distribution Committee, New York: 

(1) Generally: Naturally, we receive hundreds upon hundreds of 
requests from Poland which ask us to wire America for some special relief 
for this or that town. Up till now, we have not passed them on, nor do 
we expect to do so in the future. However, it is an entirely different matter 
with the Consulate which does forward these requests to America. 

(2) Special: Of the places mentioned, Merecz receives the monthly 
assistance of M. 1,200. 

The name "Bisokedsor" should really be "Wysokodwor." This city 
receives M. 1,000 from us per month. 

Up to this time we did not have direct access to Olkenilci. It is prob- 
able, however, that various cities which have been instructed by us, from 
time to time, to relieve Olkeniki, did do so. In any case, we shall inves- 
tigate this, but it is self-evident that even Olkeniki can only be relieved 
according to the amount of resources on hand, and in proportion to the 
urgency of its need. 

Ciechanowice, especially the refugees there, will be aided through 
Bielsk, the chief city of the district. 

Belchatow does not receive anything directly from us. During the 
last few months we did not consider it necessary, since, through our inter- 
vention, M. 5,000 reached there from America for the poor. 

Siemiatysze receives M. 500 per month. 



Judisches Hilfskomite fur Polen. 



95 



Of course, there are still some towns with which we have not yet 
been able to establish any working communication. We are taking great 
pains, however, even soliciting the aid of the Catholic and Evangelical 
field priests, to approach even the smallest communities. 

The greater the area our organization covers, the more certain it 
becomes that the towns that are in need will be reached. But the spread 
of our organization threatens to be checked by the new demands, which 
as you must know, are coming from America. We shall not permit these 
demands upon the organization to hinder us very much in the future. 
Meanwhile, we shall try to spread the net of our organization farther and 
farther. We return the Appendix herewith. We shall also consider the 
cities of Belchatow and Olkeniki in the list of those towns which are directly 
aided by us, and we shall send you further report concerning these matters. 

HILFSVEREIN DER DEUTSCHEN JUDEN. 



Expended. 



April 28— 

Bialystok M. 600.00 

Bielica 1,000.00 

Warsaw and Kovno 250 . 00 

Libau and environs 4,000.00 

Warschau 1,500.00 

May 2— 

Warschau 200,000.00 

Dereczyn 1,000.00 

Zdzienciol 1,000.00 

May 4 — 

Districts on the front of.. 5,000 . 00 

Environs of Wilna 11 ,000 . 00 

Schaulen and environs. . . 5,000.00 

Lodz and environs 14,100.00 

Border districts of Litau. 10,000 . 00 
Districts of Czenstochau, 

Sosnowitz, etc 10,000.00 

Places near the boundary. 2,000.00 

May 5 — 

Traby 200.00 

Bialystok 20,000.00 

Grodno 10,000.00 

Suwalki 14,000.00 

Wolkowak 2,000.00 

Bielsk 5,000.00 

Wilna 105,000.00 

May 6— 

Antopol 2,000.00 

Baranowitschi 600.00 

Blaschki 500.00 

Bolimow 500.00 

Chorzele 2,500.00 

Dobrzyn .500.00 

Garwolin 500.00 



May 6 — Continued — 

Glowno M. 500.00 

Gora-Kalwaria 2,000 . 00 

Jezioma 500.00 

Kutno 2,000.00 

Lomza 3,000.00 

Losize 500.00 

Lowitsch 500.00 

Lukow 2,000.00 

Maciejowice 500.00 

M iendzy race for refugees . 3 , 500 . 00 

Motol 500.00 

Msczcnow 1,000.00 

Neustadt 900.00 

Nowogrodek 2,000.00 

Ostrolenka 1,000.00 

Plock .... 1,000.00 

Praschnitz 6,000.00 

Janow 500.00 

Pultusk 2,000.00 

Radzymin 1,500.00 

Ryki. 1,200.00 

Sieradz 1,500.00 

Sochaczew 2,000.00 

Szczuczyn 5,000.00 

Grajowo 2,000.00 

Warki 1,000.00 

Wischkow 1,000.00 

Wiskitki 500.00 

Wsielub 1,500.00 

Wyszogrod 1,000.00 

Zdunska-Wola 1 .500 . 00 

Kozminek 500.00 

Mielnik 500.00 

Ostrow ^!?VX,. 

Radzilow oOO.OO 

Rozana.... LOOO.OO 

Sakrotschmi ^^^^H 

Shirardow 1-000 00 



06 



Reports Received hy Joint Distribution Committee. 



May 6 — Continued— 

Siedloc M.2,000.00 

Tomaschow 4,000 . 00 

Tuschyn 500.00 

Woodawa 2,000.00 

Kaluschyn 1,000.00 

Parczonsow 500 . 00 

Skiemiewice 1,000 . 00 

Slupca 300.00 

KaHsch 6,000.00 

May 9— 

Wilna 8,000.00 

Lukow, for refugees 3,000.00 

Lomza, for refugees 2,000.00 

Swislotz 1,500.00 

Sieradz, about 1,000.00 

Province of the Bug — 

army 5,000.00 

May 15— 

Kowno and environs 1,935.00 

Expended for Matzoh... . 11,131 .80 

May 16— 

Maciejowice 500.00 

Dobrzyn 500.00 

May 17— 

Kowno and environs 6,872.95 

Alekszyce 200.00 

Augustowo 1,000.00 

Bitten 1,000.00 

Briansk 1,500.00 

Dereczyn and Zdziencio . 12,000.00 

Eischischok 500 . 00 

Gorshdy 300.00 

Grodek 500.00 

Indura and Karelite 1,000.00 

Iwje 500.00 

Kalwaria 500.00 

Knyschyn 1,500.00 

Lida 3,000.00 

Lipnitzky 500.00 

Krynki-Lunno 1,000.00 

Kielmy 500 . 00 

Mariampol 500.00 

Merecz 1,200.00 

Olita 1,000.00 

Orany 500.00 

Mischinietz 300 . 00 

Mosheiki 200.00 

Narevka 1,000.00 

Niemokszty 300.00 

Nowy-Dwor 500 . 00 



May 17 — Continued — ■ 

Olschany M. 500.00 

Osery 500.00 

Pszmiana 2,500.00 

Pojurze 500.00 

Preny 500.00 

Pruzana 1,500.00 

Sereje 500.00 

Siemiatysze 500.00 

Skidel 2,000.00 

Skaudwill 500.00 

Simno 500.00 

Slonim 2,000.00 

SokoUca 5,000.00 

Sopozkin 1,000.00 

Suchowola 1,000.00 

Sweksznie 300.00 

Swenzjany 1,000.00 

Sezuczyn and Zaludek. . . 1,000.00 

Schereschow 1,000.00 

Schtabin 500.00 

Troki-Nowe 1,500.00 

Trostiany 500 . 00 

Upino ■ 300.00 

Wilkomir 500.00 

WHkowischki and Pil- 

wischki 1,200.00 

Wornjany 750.00 

Woronow 500.00 

Wyscko-Dwor 1.000.00 

Zozle 800.00 

Bielica 1,000.00 

Kowno and Slobotka. . . . 15,000 . 00 



May 22— 

Kalisch 600.00 

Wilna 20,000.00 

Lodz 500.00 

May 23— 

Wolpa 1,000.00 

Podbrodzie, for refugees. . 1 ,000 . 00 

Brzostowica-Wielka 300.00 

Lithuania frontier 500 . 00 

Miendzyrzec 1,000 . 00 

For provisions 17,301 .50 

Warschau, for food and 
clothing for school chil- 
dren 136,613.25 

May 25— 

Warsaw 7,080.00 

Total M.795,434.50 



Relief Committee of Warsaw Community. 97 

REPORT OF WARSAW COMMITTEE. 

In addition to the work of the Judisches Hilfskomit^ fur Polen, 
we are able to report on the work accomplished by the Relief Com- 
mittee of the Warsaw Jewish Community from August, 1914, to 
December, 1915. This committee is known oflficially as follows: 
Komisja nienienia pomocy zyden ofiardom-Wojny w Krolestiire Polskiem 
przy Zarzodzia Warsawskiej Gminy Starozakounich. (The Committee 
for the Relief of Jewish Sufferers of the War in the Kingdom of 
Poland under the control and supervision of the Warsaw Jewish 
Community.) The report is as follows: 

In August, 1914, the Jewish Community of Warsaw organized the Com- 
mittee for the Relief of the Jewish Victims of the War. The ReHef Committee 
consists of seven members of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community 
of Warsaw and of twelve other members of the general Warsaw community, as 
follows : 

r Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 

1. Dr. Stanislav Natanson j Jewish Community of Warsaw, and 

[ Chairman of the Relief Committee. 
r Member of the Board of Directors of the 

2. M. Rundstein \ Jewish Community of Warsaw, and 

I Treasurer of the Relief Committee. 

1 Members of the Board of Directors of 
the Jewish Community of Warsaw. 

Sigis. Heilperin 
Rechtsanwalt R. Kempner 
Dr. M. Klummel 
Rechtsanwalt L. Lichtenbaum 
A. Podliszewski 
Ing. F. Wislicki 

The Relief Committee was originally organized for the moral and legal 
protection of the Jews while the Russian troops passed through on the way to 
the Western front. But very soon thereafter, in September, 1914, the heavy 
task devolved upon it of providing shelter and the necessaries of life for the 
great numbers of Jews expelled from innumerable villages and towns in the 
vicinity of Warsaw. 

There were from 80,000 to 100,000 Jewish refugees in Warsaw. There 
were also no fewer than 80,000 refugees in capital cities like Lublin, Petrokov, 
Kielce and Radom. All told, there were at least 200,000 Jewish exiles, who 
became beggars perforce when they were expelled from their homes. The 
Relief Committee has done everything within its power to ease the suffering 
incident to the expulsions, and has often succeeded— even when its intercession 
resulted only in staving off expulsions for a few days. Such a boon made it 
possible for the exiles to reaUze something on their effects. 

Through our legal division, we secured permission to send representatives 
to various localities, with authority to seal household effects and merchandise 



3. 


Rechtsanwalt Julius Cohn 


1 


4. 


L. Davidson 


A/To 


5. 


D. S. Meyerson 


^ t 


6. 


Joel Wegmeister 


1 ^ 


7. 


Ing. A. Weisblat 


J 


8. 


Rechtsanwalt W. Brockmann 


14. 


9. 


Consul Bol. Eiger 


15. 


10. 


H. Farbstein 


16. 


11. 


Hermann Ginsberg 


17. 


12. 


Dr. S. Goldflam 


18. 


13. 


M. Grodzienski 


19. 



98 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

on behalf of the owners, or to ship such property into Warsaw. Thousands of 
families were thus saved from ruin. 

We also secured permission, in some instances, to send conveyances for 
the exiles, so that the sick, the aged, the cripples and the children were not com- 
pelled to go on foot. Shelter and food had to be provided for the homeless 
ones with all haste. This branch of the work was carried on by a special com- 
mittee under the chairmanship of Consul B. Eiger. 

In the shelters provided for the refugees, lodgings were given 1,319,224 
times, and 4,299,700 rations served, at a cost of 432,678.64 roubles up to December 
31, 1916. The special committee in charge of this work made no requisition 
on the main Relief Committee for funds. 

The refugees' shelters could not accommodate more than 10,000 persons 
at a time. The rest had to be assisted with money. The number of those 
who could not be accommodated in the shelters increased rapidly, and soon 
reached over 30,000 absolutely penniless and homeless people. As the resources 
of the Warsaw Committee were utterly inadequate to cope with the frightful 
distress, we turned to the Relief Committee of the Grand Duchess Tatyana, 
and received as a first grant 50,000 roubles. (Up to date, we have received 
185,000 roubles from that committee.) At the same time we appealed to the 
Central Jewish Relief Committee at Petrograd, and received from them grants 
that averaged about 150,000 roubles a month — 739,520 roubles all told. These 
funds permitted us to allow 15 kopeks daily to each of the 30,000 refugees. Later, 
as the number of refugees increased, we had to cut down the allowance to 10 
kopeks, and finally to 5 kopeks. Even at that rate, we spent the immense sum 
of 768,011.49 roubles up to January 1, 1916. The relief so afforded was obviously 
insufficient, but the Jews of Warsaw — and particularly the poorer classes — 
hastened to the relief of the unfortunates with free lodgings, meals, etc. 

The distribution of relief was managed through sixty especially organized 
local committees. The refugees of each town elected their own committee. 
These town committees drew up lists of the needy, submitted them once a week 
to the Warsaw Relief Committee, received an allowance, and distributed the 
funds to the persons on their lists. This was the only way in which the com- 
plicated task could be handled, and the funds fairly distributed. 

The Warsaw Relief Committee in the meantime kept in touch with the 
provincial capitals — Lublin, Kielce, Radom and so on. Local committees were 
organized in each city in accordance with a plan furnished by us, and received 
all the funds we were able to command. 

When hostages were taken in Kielce, Radom, etc., and sent to inner Russia, 
we tried to have the orders changed by presenting petitions to the authorities. 
We were often able to secure some modifications. 

In June, 1915, all Jews in Warsaw who were not permanent residents and 
who had come there during the war, were to be expelled. We interceded, and 
obtained permission to issue certificates to the destitute and homeless refugees 
enabling them to remain. Within four days, 40,000 of these certificates were 
issued. 

Our legal section worked out a detailed form, on the basis of which our 
representatives in the provinces drew up reports on the losses and damage incurred 
directly through the war and through other causes. 

The Warsaw Committee urged the relief committees in the provinces, 
through the newspapers, to appoint sub-committees to estimate loss and damage. 



Relief Committee of Warsaw Community. 99 

Our efforts were not unavailing. In the single province of Lublin we were 
able to establish losses amotinting to 2,390,000 roubles. In Warsaw alone 
refugees filed 770 statements on loss and damage with us. This work was inter- 
rupted for a time, but has now been resumed. 

In April, 1915, when the authorities were furnishing workingmen with 
free railway tickets to parts of Russia where well-paid employment was to be 
had, we managed to secure permission through the Central Citizens' Committee 
to issue certificates entitling the holders to free railway tickets. 2,300 persons 
availed themselves of our certificates. 

In spite of very intensive efforts, the Warsaw Relief Committee could 
not meet all the requirements of every phase of the situation. Other charity 
organizations were encouraged to take the initiative in particular directions, 
and the Relief Committee supported their efforts as far as it was able. 

In this way there were established many homes, shelters and primary 
schools where the children were fed as well as taught. 

Since September, 1914, the relief society "Ezra" has been establishing 
public kitchens, where as many as 20,000 meals are furnished daily. We have 
continually subsidized the "Ezra" kitchens. We have also organized small 
societies and circles for the distribution of warm clothing, for supplying medical 
aid, providing bread either below cost or gratis, etc., and have granted what 
funds we could afford. 

A most important activity — the establishment of workrooms for refugee 
artisans — was undertaken by the "Gesellschaft zur Forderung derlandwiitschaft- 
lichen uhd Handwerksarbeit zwischen den Juden im Konigreich Polen (Society 
for the Promotion of Agriculture and Industry among the Jews of the Kingdom 
of Poland). Within a very brief period workshops for shoemakers, tailors, 
saddlers and seamstresses were in operation, where over 300 persons earned 
from 1 to 3 roubles a day. 

In August, 1914, a Commission on Hygiene was organized, and has 
rendered invaluable service to the wotmded on the battlefields through the 
men and women working under its supervision. This Commission spent 
137,219.97 up to the time it was disbanded. A special report on its work is in 
preparation. 

The Jewish Community of Warsaw opened a hospital with 200 beds for 
wounded soldiers and officers in August, 1914. The entire staff, from the 
physicians down, was Jewish. Up to July 1, 1915, when it was dismantled, 
the cost of the hospital was 52,953.24 roubles, aside from contributions of 
supplies. 

Both the Commission on Hygiene and the hospital were non-sectarian 
in their service — which made a very favorable impression on the Russian 
public. 

The activities of the Warsaw Relief Committee developed in the foregoing 
manner until August 5, 1915, the date of the German occupation. We cannot 
refrain from mentioning the fact that only our chief activities are indicated 
here. Much effort and striving cannot even be designated, because of lack of 

results. 

Since August, 1915, the form of our activity has been changed. We have 
been sending the refugees away from Warsaw; that is, thousands and thousands 
are assisted to return to their former homes. We provide free railway trans- 
portation and funds sufficient for living expenses for the first three or four weeks 



100 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

and for the most necessary household furnishings. We have sent our repre- 
sentatives to the most impoverished places to open public kitchens and tea-rooms, 
and to organize local committees to conduct the work. The local committees 
are also furnished with funds for distribution where necessary. We grant loans 
for the purchase of merchandise and for the equipment of workshops. In a 
word, we have devoted all of our energies to rehabilitating these war sufferers, 
and to making them self-supporting again. A few weeks after the repatriation 
of refugees began, their number in Warsaw had been decreased to 6,000. Those 
who remain are the old, the sick, orphans, and refugees from completely devas- 
tated towns — for example, Sochatschef, Prasnaysch, etc. 

The work of rehabilitation requires immense sums, obviously beyond our 
ability to raise. Our work is so much the more difficult because each expenditure 
has to be considered from the viewpoint of prime importance or absolute 
necessity. 

For the last five months the Relief Committee has been loaded with a new 
burden : the relief of the destitute and unemployed in Warsaw itself. Commerce, 
manufacture and industry have been crippled by force of circumstances, and 
thousands of people here have been deprived of their means of livelihood. 

The prevailing famine prices have aggravated an economic situation that 
was already grievous enough in itself. 

Our Section for the Relief of the Unemployed has three divisions: 

(1) For Laborers. 

(2) For Artisans. 

(3) For Merchants. 

Each division is represented by a committee, which cooperates actively 
with the Section for the Relief of the Unemployed. A register of the names is 
kept, and the names are stricken from the list as employment is found. There 
are 20,000 names on the register of the unemployed. About 20,000 roubles a 
mohth are spent by the Section for the Relief of the Unemployed — an amount 
that does not begin to cover the needs. Unfortunately, we are unable to make a 
larger appropriation for the purpose. 



FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 
December 31, 1915. 

Income. 

Grand Duchess Tatyana Relief Committee R. 185,000.00 

Central Jewish Relief Committee of Petrograd . . 739,520 . 00 

Central Citizens' Committee of Poland 30,000.00 

His Excellency, the Archbishop of Warsaw. . . . 10,000.00 

PoKsh-Swiss Committee 10,000 .00 

Members of the Jewish Community of Warsaw . . 146,217 . 49 
Various institutions, committees and indi- 
viduals 114,435 .44 

Through the Press 3,981 .23 

R. 1,239,154.16 

Hilfsverein der deutschen Juden 123,935 .50 

American Section of the Warsaw Relief Committee 69,600 . 00 

Securities — donated 1,715 .00 



R. 1,434,404.66 



American Section of Warsaw Committee. 101 

Expenditures. 

Assistance to individuals R. 42,282 .30 

Assistance to homeless persons 768!oil .49 

Assistance to rabbis and schochetim 52i333.55 

Subventions to charitable institutions and public 

kitchens 199,261 .82 

Subventions to various relief committees in the 

provinces 111,094.38 

Expense of repatriation 31.239.20 

Loans 40,785.65 

Legal services 971 .65 

Assistance to unemployed 54,260 .89 

Kitchens for the unemployed 2,450.00 

Travelling expenses 3,084 .38 

Assistance to wives of reservists 9,376.90 

Office expenses 5,552 .96 



Balance on hand : 

Cash R. 111,984.49 

Securities 1,715.00 



R. 1,320,705.17 



113,699.49 
R. 1,434,404.66 



REPORT OF THE AMERICAN SECTION FROM 
NOV. 17, 1915, TO JAN. 1, 1916. 

On October 25, 1915, $100,000 was sent to the American Consul 
at Warsaw for distribution by a committee consisting of the follow- 
ing: Dr. Samuel Posnanski, H. Farbstein, M. Rundstein, Rabbi 
Jehuda Segal, Joel Wegmeister and Levi Lewin-Epstein. Follo^ying 
is a report of the activities of this Committee which has been given 
the name of "The American Section", since its institution on Nov- 
ember 17, 1915, up to the end of the year. Some idea of the mag- 
nitude of the task of relieving the suffering in Poland may be gained 
when it is noted that although the greatest economy was exercised 
almost $50,000 was expended in the period of 44 days covered by 
the report, and that this sum when divided among the absolutely 
destitute in Warsaw only, amounted to only 10 kopeks per day 
per head— and the price of bread is 12 kopeks per pound. 

In the darkest hour when, having entirely exhausted its funds, the special 
Relief Commission for War Victims of the Jewish Community found itself in 
a most difficult position; when all that had been done during the past sixteen 
months of misery and misfortune to rescue the many thousands of war sufferers 
seemed about to be undone; when we, with heavy hearts, were compelled to 
see the hands stretched out for a piece of dry bread pushed aside; when the air 
was full of the lamentations and the groans of the poor hunted victims of cold 
and of hunger— at this very hour came, like a blessing from Pro\-idence, relief 
from our brothers in America. 

When the American Consul here informed us that a remittance of $100,000 
had been sent to us from America, to be distributed by a committee of six desig- 



102 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

nated members, one of these, namely, Podlische\-ski, was in Russia and conse- 
quently could not participate in the activities of the committee. We therefore 
elected in his place the treasurer of the Relief Committee for War Victims of the 
Executive of the Jewish Community of Warsaw, M. Rundstein. All the desig- 
nated persons have been constituted as a special committee under the name 
of The American Section of the Relief Committee for War Sufferers, so that 
this committee now consists of 3 members of the Relief Committee and 3 repre- 
sentatives of other relief organizations. 

The officers of the Section follow: First President, Dr. Samuel Poznanski; 
Second President and Secretary, H. Farbstein; Treasurer, M. Rundstein. The 
other members are Rabbi Jehuda Segal, Joel Wegmeister, and Levi Lewin- 
Epstein. 

I. Brest-Litovsk. 

To the former misfortunes of our brethren was added a new horror and that 
was the mass expulsion of the entire population of Brest-Litovsk for military 
reasons. This evacuation was completed in the course of a single day so that 
the population was unable to carry away any of its belongings. It is impossible 
to imagine the helplessness and the misery of these poor masses who were now 
for the third time compelled to leave their homes. Relief had to be forthcoming 
immediately and without the least hesitation. To our satisfaction we can report 
that the first relief funds came from the contribution of otu: American brethren. 
A part of these unfortunate people, about 6,000 souls, were settled in various 
townlets and villages; the remainder, that is the greater part, were sent to the 
districts of Lukov, Biala, Miendzyrzec, Siedlce, Radzim, and other places. For 
provisions and clothing for these people we have thus far expended about 12,000 
roubles. The relief is so divided that it comes to about 10 kopeks per day per 
person. In addition to this, kitchens and tea houses were established in the 
larger places such as Lukov, Siedlce, and others. 

II. The Organization for the Repatriation of Homeless Jews. 

The Organization for the Repatriation of Homeless Jews was established 
when, through the capture of Warsaw, communication between our city and the 
Polish hinterland was re-established and it was possible to send back to their 
homes Jewish fugitives who had taken refuge in Warsaw. The number of these 
was about 80,000. Of these, the number who were receiving a weekly pension 
from the Relief Committee was 50,000, to which number must be added those 
needy persons who were receiving relief sporadically. 

Of these 50,000 homeless, the Organization for Repatriation gradually 
returned the greater number to their homes when the condition of the homes 
made their return even half-way possible. The Organization gave relief in 
various forms to the repatriated in their native places — the selling of provisions 
below cost, tea houses, dining rooms, distribution of provisions and fuel gratis, 
and, not the least, the reestablishment of ritual baths, because the Jews of rural 
districts were unwilling to settle down without them. Closely related to these 
activities, it appeared necessary in some places to give relief in the form of loans 
by which a great many of the unfortunate were very successfully helped. There- 
fore, the partial rebuilding of some of the ruined homes was undertaken and 
money was lent to tradesmen, small shopkeepers, etc., in order to keep up the 



American Section of Warsaw Committee. 1()3 

work in the various places. In this way, a great number of persons were put 
on their feet again who were on the brink of becoming professional beggars. 
For this purpose, the committee has required so far 25,000 roubles from the 
American Section. 

III. Relief Section for Homeless. 

In those cases where the homes of fugitives were so ruined that a return 
to them at short notice, and especially in winter, was out of the question, the 
repatriation naturally could not be undertaken, and for this reason about 8,000 
homeless persons were compelled to remain, in addition to a considerable number 
of destitute persons requiring aid who had not been registered. 

In order to afford relief for these last-mentioned homeless people, a special 
relief section was instituted which drew the funds it needed from the American 
Fund. Among these homeless, there were many Rabbis whose homes had been 
entirely ruined and who are being especially cared for by the Relief Section. 

For the support of these homeless fugitives and Rabbis, the American 
Section has paid out thus far 25,000 roubles monthly, which amounts to 10 
kopeks per day per person. When it is considered that a pound of bread costs 
1 2 kopeks, it can be seen what a minimum of help this sum affords. 

IV. Soup Kitchens. 

With the outbreak of the war, many thousands of laborers, artisans, sales- 
people, and even merchants and manufacturers were thrown into complete 
destitution by the stoppage of commerce and industry, and were threatened 
with a famine with all its horrible consequences. 

Quick help had to be organized. The local aid society, "Ezra," immediately 
established cheap soup kitchens. Thirteen of these were opened where, for 
3 kopeks, and later on, for nothing, a dinner consisting of a half pound of bread 
and a portion of nourishing soup could be had. The number of such dinners 
reached a total of 23,000 daily. Although this number was only a drop in the 
ocean of misery and poverty, and it was heartrending to see how many of the 
poor people had to be turned away with empty stomachs yet we were compelled 
to limit ourselves on account of the lack of means. With the interruption of 
communication, the chief sources of support for these kitchens were cut off, so 
that not only the further development, but even the very existence of the kitchens, 
was endangered and the cessation of this activity was imminent. Again, it was 
the American Section which provided a handsome donation of 15,000 roubles, 
and thus the famine which threatened so many thousands was entirely averted. 

V. Relief for Persons Without Work. 

A special relief commission was founded to reheve the large number of 
workless persons and ruined merchants who saw themselves forced to walk the 
streets on account of the entire suspension of manufacturing and industry-. 

Among these unfortunates, distress had reached a crisis. It must be 
remembered that these people had not only never in their lives been dependent 
on pubHc benevolence, but even had themselves supported charitable work. 
It will be sufficient to give an idea of the tragic situation of this class by citing 
the fact that some who, in times of peace, had homes for which they paid about 



104 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

1,000 roubles a year, now, without their knowledge, had to be sent a couple of 
potinds of dry bread daily by the Relief Committee. These are persons who 
are so proud that they would rather die of famine than stretch out their hands 
for charity. There were a number of suicides among them. The American 
Section came to the rescue also of these victims of the war. It established 3 
sub-committees as follows: (1) for impoverished shopkeepers; (2) for artisans, 
and (3) for laborers. The sum of 15,500 roubles was expended for these cases. 

VI. Cheap Bread. 

Together with the great increase -in the prices of all foodstuffs, the price 
of bread rose enormously. At this moment, bread costs 12 kopeks per pound. 
As it is impossible for the homeless who receive a dole of 10 kopeks from the 
Relief Committee to buy bread at such a price, the American Section has insti- 
tuted the sale of bread at 6 kopeks per pound, and up to this time, has expended 
3,600 roubles for this purpose. 

Three free soup kitchens are also maintained by the American Section at 
an expense of 3,000 roubles monthly. 

VII. Homes for Children. 

As a consequence of the flight of many thousands of refugees to Warsaw, 
the streets of the city were overflowing with children who had no one to look 
after them. There was confusion and disorder and on account of their constant 
stay in the streets, these children were becoming demoralized and vulgarized. 
The Petrograd Relief Committee had established special homes for these children 
where they were well cared for, instructed, fed and clad. After the interruption 
of communication, these institutions remained without means. There were 
in them also children of reservists and others whose parents or bread-winners 
were in America. The religious schools, or Talmud Torahs, are also maintained 
by the American Section. There are at the present time about 4,000 pupils 
in these places. The budgets of these homes amount to 5,000 roubles per 
month. 

VIII. Workshops for Homeless Girls. 

The American Section has also undertaken the maintenance of workshops 
for 150 homeless girls of whom 50 have already been returned to their homes, and 
100 still remain in Warsaw. In these workshops the girls receive some technical 
instruction from 9 o'clock in the morning until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Milli- 
nery, embroidery, neckwear and underwear making, the manufacture of artificial 
flowers, and so forth, are taught. From 5 to 8 instruction in reading and writing 
is given. For this purpose the Section has appropriated the sum of 400 roubles 
monthly. 

IX, Clothing for the Poor. 

A matter of considerable importance is the distribution of clothing among 
the poor. This is as great a necessity as that of feeding, especially at this season 
of the year. Cold, malnutrition, and the lack of fuel cause the outbreak of much 
sickness among the destitute. To prevent this, the American Section has opened 
a special department for the distribution of clothing and shoes. 3,000 roubles 
per month are expended for this purpose. 



American Section of Warsaw Committee. 105 

X. Protection for Homeless Girls. 

The extreme destitution of the homeless has resulted, in many cases, in the 
demoralization of their daughters. In order to minimize this evil, we have 
entered into cooperation with the local Woman's Protective Organization in 
order to maintain a home for 200 homeless girls. To this purpose, the American 
Section dex^otes 1,500 roubles per month. 

XI. Loans. 

The Relief Committee of the Jewish Community established, on November 
1, 1915, a section under the supervision of Dr. Klumel, for the purpose of making 
small loans, from 25 roubles up to 200 roubles. This department cares especially 
for the following classes: first, artisans; second, small manufacturers; third, 
dealers and merchants of the second and third grade who, as a consequence of 
the war, had lost their capital and could no longer carr\' on their businesses. 
Applications came flowing in so that by January 1, 1916, about 600 had been 
received for loans amounting to a total of from sixty to seventy thousand 
roubles. About 120 applications were favorably acted upon and amounted to a 
loan of 6,000 roubles, which was appropriated by the American Section for this 
purpose. Preference was given to artisans and small dealers. The further 
reception of applications had to be discontinued on account of the lack of means, 
and the applications of 500 which had already come in could not be satisfied. 
A similar subvention of 6,000 roubles for the same purpose was given to the local 
Society for the Relief of War Sufferers, Grzybov. 

XII. "A Drop of Milk." 

To a special category of war victims who are often overlooked in the rapid 
organization of relief, belong the poor infants of the homeless whose only nourish- 
ment, as is well known, is the millc of the mother. On account of the bad and 
insufficient nourishment of the mother, these babies were unable to get any 
benefit from this source and a large mortaHty among them resulted. To rescue 
these innocent victims, the Petrograd Jewish Relief Committee established a 
fund under the name of "A Drop of Milk." With the interruption of com- 
munications, this absolutely essential fund became unavailable. Thanks to 
the American Section the work in this direction has been maintained and 1,500 
roubles monthly is devoted to it. 

XIII. Relief for the Entire Occupied Territory. 

Many thousands of fugitives from all parts of the occupied territory are 
concentrated in Warsaw, which is the largest center of refuge for Jews. After 
the organization of the American Section, these victims were naturally cared for. 
Besides, however, it was decided to send delegates to all places which had sufTcreil 
most by the events of the war for the purpose of studying on the spot the needs 
of the Jewish population and of establishing local relief committees consisting 
of the representatives of the Jewish communities. In the meanwhile, until 
these committees are actually organized, direct relief is given by the American 
Section in the most urgent cases. For instance, we have sent considerable sums 
to Novo-Grodek, Bialystok, Slonim, Brzeziny. 



106 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

XIV. Relief for the Families of Emigrants to America. 

In our city, as also in the country, there live thousands of Jews who have 
relatives in America and who, before the war broke out, used to receive help from 
them regularly. With the interruption of postal communication with America, 
these remittances have naturally stopped. The people who had been receiving 
them apply daily at the American Section because they have been left entirely 
without means. In order to help these people, the American Section distributes 
2,000 roubles monthly. The means at the disposition of the American Section 
do not allow of a permanent contribution to these families of emigrants, and 
only the early and continuous help from their relatives in America will save them 
from misery. 

XV. American Information Bureau. 

In order to inform the American emigrants of the deplorable situation of 
their relatives here, the American Section has opened an information btu-eau 
which sends news free of charge from applicants to their relatives in America 
and also handles the remittances which are sent from America and the responses 
of the recipients. 

XVI. Status of the American Fund. 

By reason of the expenditures which have been mentioned in this report, 
the American fund has been reduced one-half. The remaining sum is but a drop 
of balm in the sea of misery and suffering of the Jewish population when it is 
compared to the work which is still necessary. 



III. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 

REPORT OF ISRAELITISCHE ALLIANZ OF VIENNA. 

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ISRAELITISCHE 
ALLIANZ ZU WIEN. 

President Dr. Alfred Stern. 

First Vice-President Dr. Arthur Kuranda. 

Second Vice-President Dr. Felix Katzau. 

Third Vice-President Hofrat Camill Kuranda. 

(Member of Imperial Diet.) 
Secretary Rev. Dr. Armand Kaminka. 

Michael Denies, Generalrat Adolf Klein, 

Richard Bettelheim, Hofrat Dr. Josef Lowner, 

Ferdinand Bloch, Dr. Jacob Nirenstein, 

Dr. Josef Breuer, Wilhelm Pappenheim, 

Moritz B. Eissler, Dr. Bruno Pollack Edler v. Parnau, 

Professor Dr. Sal. Ehrmann, Professor Dr. Josef PoUak, 

Chief Rabbi Dr. M. Gudemann, Julius Reitlinger, 

Dr. Wilhelm Ritter von Guttman, Leopold Sachs Edler von Sachsenhall 



COMMITTEE IN HUNGARY. 

Budapest: 

Ober Rabbiner, Hoppel Reich, 

Adolph Frankel, President Orthodox Jews in Hungary, 

Leopold Grossberg, Editor Algemeine Jud. Zeitung. 

Presshurg: 

Rabbi Akiba Schreiber, 

Lazar Gestatner, President Kultus Gemeinde. 

Ungvar: 

Rabbi Lazar Lov. 

Huntzdorf: 

Rabbi Samuel Rosenberg. 

Laszo, Saras Co.: 
Jacob Zauber. 

Miskolcz: 

Jonas Firth. 

107 



108 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

The follov/ing paragraphs are taken from a report addressed by 
the Israelitische AlHanz zu Wien to the American Ambassador 
at Vienna under date of February 17, 1916. 



Persons Requiring Aid. 

Those requiring aid taken as a whole may be divided into two categories: 
the first being those who, owing to the events of the war, have either been forced 
by the authorities to seek shelter in western Austria, or have voluntarily left 
the war region; the second category consisting of those who either remained 
in the towns suffering from the operations of war or have since returned to them. 
With regard to the help given to the first category of fugitives, it was chiefly 
undertaken by the State. They were given free shelter in special barracks 
erected for them, together with clothing and linen, and received a krone per day 
per head towards their food. Further, these fugitives numbering some 
400,000 persons, were also amply cared for by private action in such places 
where they were interned, where naturally they were allowed perfect freedom. 
The Israelitische AUianz could here limit itself to supplementary activity. 
Nevertheless, as may be gathered from the detailed reports forwarded to, 
America, this alone has already amounted to several htmdred thousand kronen 
and will continue to require more. 



Thousands of Widows — Tens of Thousands of Orphans. 

Far more ample means must, however, in the future be placed at disposal 
and in an ever-increasing amount too, for those sufferers by the war who remained 
in their homes and those successively returning to them, as till now no action 
for their relief has been taken on the part of the State, and they have no share 
in any of the forms of relief granted to fugitives. For them it is purely and 
simply a question of public charity, and in this they are entirely dependent on 
their co-religionists as their only source of help. The misery and suffering of 
these people baffles all description. Their homes have been so devastated 
that both those who remained behind and those returning to them are mostly 
obliged to pass the winter in damp and cold earth-holes, with foul straw for 
their beds and bare of all clothing. Cholera, spotted typhus and dysentery 
daily cause large gaps among them. And for the Jewish population this terrible 
misery is further increased and urged to the utmost by a series of facts which 
specially touches them. Almost the entire male population of the larger places 
in Bukovina and Galicia, except such as are serving in the army, have been 
dragged off by the Russians and sent to Siberia, many of them have been mur- 
dered in a terrible way, so that virtually thousands of widows and tens of thou- 
sands of orphans remain behind. And this misery is still further intensified 
by the following circumstances: By far the larger number of marriages in 
Galicia and Bukovina are merely of a ritual nature, and are not recognized as 
legal by the State, such a wife being regarded but as a concubine and her children 
as illegitimate. Therefore, as all the male population of Bukovina and Galicia 
between the ages of eighteen and fifty capable of bearing arms are now serving 



Israelitische Allianz, Vienna. 109 

in the army, the famiHes of those who have contracted such marriages do not 
receive such support as, according to law, is granted to the legal members of the 
families of those men now in the field. 



Individual Relief Impossible. 

In view of these conditions, it is hopeless to think of giving individual aid 
to all these unfortunates, and this for purely technical reasons, and moreover 
because in order to give eflfectual individual relief, such immense sums would be 
requisite that the most strenuous eflforts on the part of private charity would 
be in striking contradiction to the actual needs. 

For this reason such individual help could only be thought of in rare and 
exceptional cases, and the means placed at disposition are primarily handed 
over to such organizations which seemed best capable of ameliorating the suffer- 
ings of all. These means are preferably employed for the establishment and 
upkeep of people's kitchens, warm rooms and tea-rooms, and more especially 
for the rescue of destitute children in danger of physical and moral ruin, by the 
founding of homes for children and asylums for the aged and sick, for which 
the money collected finds ample use. Further, societies which advance sums 
of money to workmen and craftsmen for the purchases of tools and raw materials 
are likewise amply supported. 

It is a foregone conclusion that the disbursements be made with relative 
economy, for unfortunately there is a sad prospect of these aids having to be given 
not only during the immeasurable length of the war, but also for a long time after 
the conclusion of peace, a continuation of the misery and sad conditions of the 
Jews in Galicia and Bukovina must be taken into account. 



Auxiliary Committees. 

To ensure an adequate distribution of the funds according to the facts 
of a case, three large auxiliary committees have been established on the part of 
the Israelitische Allianz in Lemberg, Premysl and Cracow, which serve for the 
present as executives for East, Central and West Galicia, to whom requests 
for help on the part of municipalities are assigned for report, and to whom the 
right of initiative has been ceded. These committees send their own delegates 
to continually travel through the district allotted to them in order to make 
exhaustive inquiries on the spot. In addition to these committees, special 
executive committees have been formed in large towns such as Kolomea.-Jaroslau. 
Brody and Stanislau. 

On this occasion the Israelitische Allianz cannot hide the fact that it may 
perhaps have exceeded the literal instructions of the American Relief Committee 
as to its activity and the expenditure of the funds so generously sent, in so far 
as they have been forced to extend their field of operation to that part of Russian 
Poland now under the administration of Austria, for the Jewish population of 
these districts, in consequence of the war events and particulariy because of the 
Russian retreat, has suffered in the same manner as their co-rehgiomsts of 
Galicia and Bukovina. 



110 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



For this reason the AUiance has lately sent their secretary from their central 
office in Vienna to travel through the chief towns and governmental seats, Lub- 
lin, Petrikoflf, Radom and Kielce, there to form their own relief committees as 
executives, and already monetary help has been placed at their disposition 
for about eighty of the suffering towns and villages. 

From what has been said, Your Excellency will gather that on the one hand 
it is impossible to give the actual number of sufferers by the war receiving help 
from us, we must therefore limit ourselves to saying that one and a half million 
persons is not too small an estimate to answer the questions in detail put by the 
American committees in reference to this. On the other hand, it is impossible 
to reply to the request to specify the amount necessary for the present j^ear, 
1916, otherwise than to draw attention to the fact that a continuation of the 
present distress must unfortunately with certainty be expected for the duration 
of this year and that the distress will be considerably intensified by the fact 
that when the fugitives are successively sent back to their native places, entirely 
without means of sustenance, in consequence of the cessation of State aid, they 
will be entirely dependent on private charity. 

The relief work in Galicia and Bukowina was supervised by two committees, 
The Jewish Relief Committee for East Galicia, with headquarters at Lemberg, 
and the Jewish Central Relief Committee for West Galicia, with headquarters 
at Cracow. The personnel of these two committees is given below: 



Jewish Relief Committee for East Galicia. 

Chairman Jacob Stroh. 

First Vice-President Prof. Samuel Bromberg. 

Second Vice-President Leon Wohl. 

Secretaries Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hausner, 

Lazar Goldberg. 



Herman Back, 
Rabbi Leib Braude, 
Dr. Moritz Brendel, 
Emanuel Dresdner, 
Dr. Karl Einaugler, 
Rabbi Samuel Guttmann , 
Dr. Cacilie Klaften, 
Bernhard Krolik, 



Religious Teacher, 

Moses Lamm, 
Dr. Anselm Landau, 
Adolph Lindenberger, 
Berl Locker, 
Prof. Solomon Mandel, 
Laura Olbert, 
Simon Orange, 
Dr. Ava Reichenstein, 



Dr. Michael Ringel, 
David Rubenzahl, 
Nathan Schapira, 
Oswald Schargel, 
Prof. Leon Schleicher, 
Ladislaus Schley en, 
Dr. Rubin Sokal, 
Michal Ulam. 



Jewish Central Relief Committee for West Galicia. 



Chairman, Joseph Sare. 

Dr. Samuel Tilles, President of the Jewish Community. 

Dr. Adolph Gross, Member of Imperial Diet. 

Prof. Dr. Joseph Rosenblatt, Chairman of the Israelitische AUianz. 

Dr. Herman Hirsch, Representative of the Order B'nai Brith. 



Israelitische Allianz, Vienna. \\\ 

RELIEF WORK FOR GALICIA AND BUKOWINA. 
(Up to December 31, 1915.) 



Chairman of Amount 

Place Local Committee Purpose of Subvention Kronen 



Belz *L 4,000 

Bircza fP 1250 

Bobrka L 1,500 

Bohorodzany L 1 500 

Bolechov Dr. T. Blumenthal l^OOO 

Bobozovce Aba Reiss .' . . . 

Brody Martin Balban People's kitchens, orphan asy- 
lum and infirmary 11,700 

Buczacz Michal Kornblut L 3,000 

Bukaczovce L 3^000 

Busk Osias Karavan L 2.500 

Chyrov L 2,500 

Czernelica Also for Horodenka; L 3,000 

Czernovitz 

Dembica Chaim Mahler 800 

Dobromil Distribution of potatoes and 

other provisions, and tea 

houses 2,300 

Dolina L 3,000 

Delatyn L 2,000 

Drohobycz Rabbi D. B. Margolies. .People's kitchens and assist- 
ance to individuals 5,250 

Dunajov L 1,000 

Felsztyn L 2,500 

Gliniany Dr. Jacob Korkis L 6,500 

Gologory Isak Davidsohn 

Gorlice Dr. Stern 5,000 

Grodek Rabbi Jos. Klieger L 800 

Gvozdziec L 2,500 

Halicz Joseph Schein 

Horodenka Berel Spirer L See Czernelica 

Horozanka • L 1,000 

Hussakov Distribution of potatoes 1,250 

Janov Joseph Frankel Also for Javorov; L 1,500 

Jaroslau J. Strisover 4,000 

. / Refugees from Sieniawa 1 ,000 

Jaryozov novy | Poj. peoples' kitchens; L. . . . 1,600 

Jaslo Boguslav Steinhaus 1,000 

"javorov ^^^ 

Janov 

Jasloviec ^' 1 '^^^ 

Tezierna . . . . . . . .Wolf Fischer L 1,000 

Kalusz L 2,500 

Kamionka strum . Rabbi Marcus Diamant . L ^uuu 

/ Elias Kris Children's schools 9,300 

Kolomea '-^ j^arcus Schiller People's kitchens and refugees 

Komarno L 2,500 

Kriikienice L bUU 

M^agierov . ■. '.'.'.'. .'.M. Wachs '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. ]- 2,000 

Monasterzyska. . .S. Safril '^ ^•""" 



Lemberg Relief Committee. t Peremysl Committee. 



112 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



Chairman of Amount 

Place Local Committee Purpose of Subvention Kronen 

Mosiciska *L 2,500 

Mosty wielkie L 2,500 

Nadvorna L 2,000 

Narajov 'Rabbi Beresch Sim L 1,000 

Narol L 2,500 

Niemirov Dr. Rosenberg L 3,000 

Ottynia L 4,000 

Podhajce Dr. Leon Salpeter L 2,500 

Pomorzany Max Tierhaus L 1,000 

Potok Zloty L 1,000 

Przemysl Dr. B. Gans People's kitchens and distri- 
bution of potatoes 2,500 . 

Przemyslany . .... Dr. Jacob Schenker L 5,500 

Radymno Distribution of potatoes 2,200 

Radzivillov 

(Volhynia) 1,500 

Rava ruska Samuel Schaffel. ....... L 2,500 

Rohatyn Dr. Zeghaus L 5,000 

Rudki L 2,000 

Rzeszov Nathan Levin 

Sadova wisznia L 2,500 

Sambor Aron Levin 

Sassov Wolf Landesberg L 1,500 

Sieniava Also for Jaroslau 5,000 

Skole Dr. Eichel 1,000 

Sniatvn David Goldes L 4,000 

(..■', f Rabbi Edm. Rauch Peoples' kitchens and distri- 

btanisiau | Qg_ Blumenfeld bution of wood 7,000 

StaraSol L fP 800 

Stary Sambor L 2,000 

Stryj Borak Selig L 

Svirz 

Szczerczec David Chill L 2,000 

Tarnobczeg Dr. Wilf. Reben 

Tlumacz Jacob Seidmann L 2,000 

Toporov * L 2,500 

Turka For other places 1,250 

L 3,000 

Tysmenica L 1,500 

XJhnov Rabbi Rokach 

Zaleszczyki. L 2,000 

Zalosce L 2,500 

Zborov L 1,500 

Zloczov Dr. Isak Mittleman L 8,000 

Zydaczov L 4,000 

Zelov (Russian- 
Poland) 1,000 

Bilgoraj (Russian- 
Poland) _ . . . 1,000 

Kolbussova. . .... Dr. W. Rabinovitch 

Ulanov Dr. David Fey in Niskv 

Dr. Lovy in Niskv 



Total K. 247,000 



Lemberg Relief Committee. f Paremysl Committee. 



Israelitische Allianz, Vienna. 113 

For the further needs of the enumerated 90 places for assistance for 
additional places in Galicia, as also in Bukowina, Russian-Poland 
and m Volhynia, there was appropriated for people's kitchens 

provisions and the protection of children 'k 450 000 

For other assistance ' / ■ " ^^^q^q 

b or loans to business men 250 000 

'Total K. 1,097,900 

For the support of refugees until the end of December, 1915, accord- 
ing to table 462,118 

K. 1,560,018 

In addition to the places enumerated in the foregoing table, the following 
places have also received assistance: 



GALICIA AND BUKOWINA. 

Baranov, Bialyjamien, Chodorov, Cholojov, Cieszanov, Dynov, Grodizsku, 
Kolbuszova, Jezupol, Krakoviec, Kroszienko, Krystonopol, Kulaczkovce, 
Lanczyn, Lemberg, Lezajsk, Majdan, Nisko, Pilzno, Podkamien, Radziechov, 
Ropozyce, Rozvadov, Rudntk, Rymanov, Sokal, Strzeliska novs, Tartakov, 
Ulanov, Varez, Wiszniovczyk, Vorochta, Zablotov. 



RUSSIAN-POLAND. 

Through the Relief Committee in Lublin and Petrikau — 

Annopol, Baranov, Belchatov, Belzice, Bikupol, BUgoraj, Bychava, Chodel, 
Frampol, Glush, Gorey, Gorzkov, Hrubieszov, Irena, Izbica, Janov, Jozefov, 
Kazimirz, Konska volja, Krasnik, Krasnostav, Krzescov, Lenczna, Lubartov, 
Lukov, Markuszov kurov, Modiboczice, Nalenczov, Novo Alexandria, Novo 
Radomsk, Opole, Piaski lutevski, Polavy, Rachov, Rospschi, Sulejov, Szczbrzes- 
zyn, Tarnogrod, Tomaszov, Turobin Urzendov b. Krasnik, Vomvulnica, Vysokie, 
Zaklikov, Zamosc, Zelov, Zolkievka. 

Through the Relief Committee in Radom — 

Bialobrezezi, Ciepielov, Drzecice, Glovaxzov, Gnievoszov-Granica, Ilza' 
Kedlinsk, Kazenov, Klvov, Konsk, Koprizvnica, Kozienice, Lipsko, Magnuezew, 
Malenec, Odrzvol, Opoczno, Ostrovice, Osorov, Radusczyca, Rycz>'A'ol, Sienno, 
Skabrczysko, Stromiec, Tarlov, Vasniov, Viesbice, Virzbnik, Zarnov, Zvolen, 
Radon. 

Through the Relief Committee in Kielce — 

Pinczov, Dzjaloscize, Skalniex, Checiny, Lopuszno, Sopkov, Bodzentin, 
Novo Slupje, Suchednjov, Miechov, Slomnik, Proszovice, Valkskions, Olkusz. 
Pilica, Volbrom, Vloszova, Szczekoczyn, Malogoszez, Jendscejov, Woidslav, 
Chmelnik, Busk, Szidlov, Stopnice, Viszlica, Nove Miasto Korczyn (Neustadt), 
Kielce. 



114 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



RELIEF ON BEHALF OF THE REFUGEES ADMINISTERED BY THE 
ISRAELITISCHE ALLIANZ ZU WIEN IN COOPERATION WITH 
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND THE RELIEF COM- 
MITTEE IN WEST AUSTRIA, UP TO 
DECEMBER 31, 1915. 

Total Subventions of the Israelitische Allianz zu Wien, up to 
December 31, 1915. 

Kjonen 

Vienna 151,090 

Bohemia 131,574 

Moravia 98,310 

Hungary 66,588 

Various assistance 4,340 

General assistance for refugees and other war 

sufferers 10,216 

Total 462,118 



VIENNA. 
(About 100,000 Jewish fugitives without means.) 



Disbursed Out 

of Local 

Ftmds 



Subvention 

of 

Allianz 



Aid for fugitives by IsraeUtische Allianz 

Clothing for children of fugitives 

People's kitchens 

Tea-rooms and distribution of bread 

To supplement government aid: 

Through central office 

Direct to rabbis, teachers, students, etc. . . 

Total 



Kronen 

215,000 

30,000 

400,000 

250,000 



Kronen 

4,450 

27,200 

4,700 

55,000 
59,740 

151,090 



Israelitische Allianz, Vienna. 
BOHEMIA. 



llo 



Relief Committees of the Number of 

Jewish Community Refugees 



Arnau 

Auscha 

Aussig a. E 

Bergreichenstein . 

BiHn 

Bodenbach 

B. Leipa 

Brux 

Buchau 

Budweis 

Budyn 

Caslau 

Chlumetz 

Chotebor 

Chrudim 

Dasic 

Dauba 

Dux 

Elbekosteletz . . . . 

Elbogen 

Falkenau 

Fransenband. . . . 

Friedland 

Gablonz a. N. . . . 
Goltch Jenikau. . 

Habern 

Hermanmestes . . 

Hohenelbe 

Hokau 

Holitz 

Horitz 

Hostau 

Jechnitz 

Jicin 

Jungbunzlau .... 

Kaaden 

Karbitz 

Karlsbad 



200 

*267 
1,450 

157 

*800 
1,800 

2,000 

1,532 

*212 

*5,042 

*150 

520 

*268 
*320 
1,200 
*180 
800 

* 1,400 

252 

1,060 
300 

1,400 

*689 

766 

92 

92 

354 

*210 

*150 
*560 
461 
300 

*350 
689 

1,500 
230 

3,400 



Disbursed 

Out of Local 

Fimds 



Subvention 

of 
Allianz 



Kronen 

4,200 

13,800 

*5,000 

22,430 

127,000 
193 
1 1.747 
*5,000 
14,600 
t2,500 
5,000 

tl2,000 
10,200 

t29,000 



*30,000 



2,400 

tl,855 



2,500 

1 1,600 

7,000 

t3,000 

456 

1 1,700 

2,300 

t4,900 

2,150 

t7,880 

18,500 

t60,000 

*2,880 

18,350 

1300 

t850 

13,390 

*630 



t500 

2,400 

t800 

t3,566 
*5,500 



46,000 

t30,noo 



Kronen 

600 
400 

1,000 

400 
400 

2,000 

1,000 
1,000 

250 

13,000 

200 

500 
300 
200 
500 
350 

1,000 

1,500 

300 
1,500 

900 

5,800 
800 
700 
200 
200 
300 
300 
100 
300 
650 
500 

600 
500 
500 
2,500 
300 

9,000 



116 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

BOHEMIA— Continued. 



Relief Committees of the 
Jewish Community 



Number of 
Refugees 



Disbursed 

out of Local 

Funds 



Subvention 

of 

AUianz 



Kladno 3,360 

Konigssaal 197 

Konigstadte *220 

Konigswart 317 

Kolin *1,000 

Komotau *1,150 

Kralup a. M *600 

Kuttenberg 668 

Laun... *200 

Leitmeritz 256 

Libochovitz 144 

Lobositz *153 

Lubenz *239 

Luck 150 

Marienbad *1,198 

Melnik 620 

Mies 1,500 

Mnischek 

Munchengratz 724 

Nimburg 642 

Pardubitz *300 

Perutz 

Petschau *1,000 

Pilgram *550 

Pilsen 14,000 

Podebrad 340 

Podersam 758 

Postelberg *393 

Prag 5,700 

Pribam 400 

Rakonitz 434 

Raudnitz a. E *160 

Reichenau 1,040 

Reichenberg *2,400 

Rumburg 2,000 



Kronen 


Kronen 


4,900 




12,160 


1,900 


2,000 




t2,500 


500 




500 


3,i6o 




tl,100 


500 




600 


*io,66o 


2,300 




400 


156 




t2,300 


750 


*2,570 


400 


3,900 




14,400 


200 


900 




t900 


400 


*3,000 


850 




500 


1,000 




1 1,000 


200 


*8,025 


7,600 


5,000 




tl,200 


1,600 


4,320 




t2,000 


400 




200 


1,950 




t3,750 


1,600 


495 




t453 


500 




400 




100 




1,000 




300 


134,750 




t76,044 


27,600 


2,164 




t800 


550 


1,250 




t3,350 


1,100 


*5,000 


500 


470,560 




1250,000 


200 


1,500 




t6,400 


1,000 


6,740 




t6,740 


300 


*2,500 


700 


t6,760 


1,700 


. 12,235 




t5,000 


3,000 



IsraelUische AUianz, Vienna. 
BOHEMIA— Concluded. 



ir 



Relief Committees of the 
Jewish Community 



Saaz . . . 
Schlan . 



Soborten . . 
Strakonitz . 

Tabor 

Tachau. . . . 



Teplitz . . . . 
Trautenau . 
Tarnau. . . . 



Unt. Kaalovitz. 
Varnsdorf 



Vlaschim 

Volin 

Zaluzan 

Various places. . . 
Prayer books, etc . 





JDisbvirsed 


Subvention 


Ntunber of 


Out of Local 


of 


Refugees 


Funds 


AUianz 




Kronen 


Kronen 


3,700 


1,000 






t2,400 


3,550 


1,009 


8,500 






t2,400 


3,550 


*180 




300 


*700 




500 


*200 


*3,666 


250 


750 


5,329 






t8,320 


600 


*1,090 






*550 


*6,666 


1.000 


500 


3,540 






12,315 


400 


120 


1,500 


200 


595 


4,200 






te.ioo 


800 


608 


550 






tl,600 


1,000 


350 


2,300 


400 

200 

400 

2,424 



Total 131,574 





HUNGARY. 






Relief Committees of the 
Jewish Community 


Number of 
• Refugees 


Disbursed 

Out of Local 

Funds 


Subvention 

of 

AUianz 


Budapest 

Grossvardein 

Pressburg 


'. '. . .30,000 




Kronen 

61,115 

3,473 

2.000 


Total 


66,588 











118 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

MORAVIA. 









Disbursed 


Subvention 


Relief Committees of the 


Number of 


Out of Local 


of 


Jewish Community 


Refugees 


Funds 


AUianz 








Kronen 


Kronen 


Brunn 




6,182 


124,420 


300 


Damboritz . . 




*640 




500 


Gaja 




5,570 


45,000 
t5,000 


11,750 


Holleschau . . 




400 


t5,500 


300 


Kanitz 




212 


6,000 


200 


Kostel 




150 


1,750 
t500 


200 


Leitomischl . . 








100 


Lindenburg. . 




*350 


3,000 


400 


M. Trabau.. 




** 1,800 


715 
t3,561 


1,600 


Neutitschein 




2,000 


2,875 


1,200 


Nikolsburg . . 




8,000 


20,000 
t29,000 


51,250 


Olmutz 




255 


31,000 
tl4,500 


300 


Pohrlitz 




*4,280 


*40j000 


10,750 


Strassnitz . . . 




*180 




300 


Trebitsch .... 




*50 


*200 


200 


Ung. Hradisch 


**89,850 


8,510 










tl04,430 


1,500 


Vischau 




280 


1,025 
t500 


400 


Zwittau for PoUcka . 


900 


1,000 
t2,000 








800 


Refugees in 


Nikolsburg, PohrUtz, 








Gay a a. 


Kanitz 

Total 






16,260 




98,310 



* Figures as of last summer (1914). Later figures not available. 

t Cost of supplies distributed. 

X Cost of supplies distributed not included. 
** Way stations en route. 
ft Includes 60,000 kronen for Galician refugees in Hungary. 



MISCELLANEOUS GROUPS OF REFUGEES. 



Relief Committees of the 
Jewish Community 


Number of 
Refugees 


Disbtirsed 
Out of Local 

Fimds 


Subvention 

of 

Allianz 








Kronen 


Kronen 


Amstetten 

Brack a. L 

Gars 

Graz 

Vaidhofen a. Th . . . 
Sarajev 


Total 


400 

1,000 

35 

800 

'. 2,666 


14,666 


600 
540 
100 

2,000 
100 

1,000 

4,340 



IV. GREECE AND TURKEY, 

EXCLUSIVE OF PALESTINE. 

In October, 1915, the Joint Distribution Committee sent a first 
appropriation of $5,000 to the Hon. Henry Morgenthau, American 
Ambassador at Constantinople, for distribution in Turkey. The 
following letter, dated November 16, 1915, from Ambassador Mor- 
genthau describes the manner in which this sum was distributed: 

With reference to the $5,000.00 which you sent me for distribution amongst 
the needy Jews outside of Palestine, I desire to inform you that after having 
conferred with the Grand Rabbi here, I concluded to distribute the amount in 
question (for which I obtained Ltq. 1,219.51 at the rate of 4.10) in the following 
proportions : 

Received Ltq. 1,219. 51 

Adrianople Ltq. 100. 00 

Dardenelles 100. 00 

Aleppo 100. 00 

Smyrna 100. 00 

Beirut 50. 00 

Broussa 50. 00 

500.00 

Ltq. 719.51 
Paid for Commission and telegraphs 4.31 

Balance for Constantinople Jews Ltq. 715. 20 

I have sent to the various local relief committees the above specified amounts 
and enclose herewith such receipts as I have thus far obtained from them. As 
you will notice from the enclosed receipt of Grand Rabbi Nahoum, I have already 
paid Ltq. 200 to the Constantinople Relief Committee, so that I have now 
a balance of Ltq. 515.20 which I shall pay them at the rate of Ltq. 215 a month. 

I am sending you with this mail a few photographs showing the distribution 
of this fund among Jews in one of the suburbs of Constantinople. Tlie misery 
that one can witness here is simply appalling, and I assure you that the timely 
assistance of your Committee is deeply appreciated by all the Jews here. 



Committee for Dardenelles and GallipoU. 

Following is a report of the ReHef Committee for the Sufferers 
of the Dardenelles and Gahipoli submitted to the American Ambas- 
sador on September 22, 1915: 

Six months ago, following events which are famihar to you, the Jews of 
Dardenelles as well as the entire population of that city were obliged to abandon 

119 



120 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

their homes and to seek refuge in a certain number of neighboring locahties, 
such as Lapsaki, Gallipoli, Bigha, Constantinople, and the villages of Dardenelles. 
Our co-religionists, the greater part of whom live from hand to mouth, suddenly 
found themselves deprived of all resources and without shelter. To crown their 
misery it was on the eve of the Passover holidays which every Jew wished to 
observe scrupulously. As the community of Dardenelles had not had the time 
to prepare matzoth, rich and poor ran the risk of being compelled to eat ordinary 
bread during the entire festival. A desperate appeal on behalf of the poor 
was thereupon addressed to His Eminence, the Grand Rabbi of Turkey, and to 
the Order B'nai B'rith, which were not slow to consider it and to take the necessary 
steps to aid the unfortunate families. The Community of Dardenelles practiced 
a number of economies and sent them sixty pounds Turkish which made possible 
the distribution of relief to almost all the needy. 

After the Passover, the situation of these families improved but slightly. 
Their number had a tendency to increase because those who had some resources 
exhausted them little by little and finally augmented the number of the needy. 
It was impossible to abandon these unfortunate persons to their fate. It was 
necessary to cast about for some means of supplying them with their daily bread, 
although this task would be a very difficult one. While His Eminence, the Grand 
Rabbi, the members of the Society B'nai B'rith, and the notables of Dardenelles 
were studying at the capital the best means for coming to the aid of these unfor- 
tunate people, it was learned that their number had doubled, perhaps tripled, 
the inhabitants of Gallipoli also having been compelled to leave their homes, to 
lose their livelihood and to seek asylum elsewhere, some even as far as Rodosto, 
Panderma, Tchardag and Lapsaki. 

Following the receipt of pressing dispatches and letters which were arriving 
from all parts to His Eminence and to the Society B'nai B'rith, a new subvention 
of 100 pounds Turkish was voted, and at the same time a special commission 
composed of notables of Dardenelles was constituted tmder the auspices of the 
latter society and was charged with the gathering of information concerning 
the suffering families, the collection of donations and the judicious distribution 
of the money raised among the various places. 

Immediately upon its constitution, the Committee set to work, and rendered 
aid in the most urgent cases. At the same time, it communicated with the 
Community of Dardenelles and with the charitable organizations of that city 
asking them to turn over to the Committee all sums which they had at their 
disposal. 

On his side. His Eminence, the Grand Rabbi, was good enough to intercede 
on behalf of the two stricken communities with His Excellency, the Ambassador 
of the United States of America, who did not.hesitate to telegraph to a charitable 
society in his country and to remit to us a short time afterwards $2,500.00 or 
about 590 pounds Turkish. 

These liberalities permitted us to respond to all the demands which we 
received. As the number of those who required assistance increased, we were 
compelled to exercise the greatest economy if we did not wish that our work 
should have an ephemeral duration. 

Having these considerations in mind, we decided to grant only forty paras 
(five cents) per day per head to the families composed of three members or less, 
and thirty paras (less than four cents) per day per head to the families composed 
of more than three members. Thanks to these precautions, we have been able 



Committee for Dardenelles and Gallipoli. 121 

to assist 1,760 persons during more than three months. These persons are 
scattered in about 20 localities of which we give the following list : 

People 

Bairamich ^ 60 

Bigha ' 44 

Birgas 25 

Bilinkeuy 2 

Dardanelles 23 

Eusboc 120 

lapildag 76 

Gallipoli 45 

Isine 45 

Kara-Djoglou 13 

Kanguorli 48 

Komel 47 

Kourchourlou 40 

Ichocler 5 

Lapsaki 200 

Noussakouy 15 

Pandorma 35 

Sari-bojdi 15 

Suledje 30 

Rodosto 708 

Tchardag 200 

Total 1,764 

Relief was administered by the following committees: At Rodosto under 
the presidency of the Director of the School of the Alliance, at Lapsaki by the 
Director of the School of the Alliance of Dardenelles, and at Panderma by the 
Director of the School of GallipoU. From Lapsaki kind persons went into the 
neighboring villages and assisted the sufferers. 

Although on principle no more than 30 or 40 paras were to be allowed for 
each person, as a matter of fact account had to be taken of the needs of each 
family, and this sum was augmented or diminished according to the abihty or 
inability of the family in question to procure help from other sources. We are 
persuaded that we have done useful work not only in assuring the daily bread 
of more than 1,700 unfortunates, but also and especially in having aided a large 
number of heads of families to pass over first critical weeks of their arrival in 
the villages and by procuring them the means of resuming little by little their 
work which was so rudely interrupted. It is with a feeling of joy that we have 
learned that some heads of families have been able to resume business and to 
count no longer exclusively upon us for suljsistence. 

To-day our funds are exliausted although our work is by no means finished. 
If some families no longer need our aid, there still exists a large number of widows, 
orphans, families of soldiers who are deprived of all resources and who look to 
our aid as our ancestors in the desert looked for the manna from heaven. What 
will become of these unhappy ones now that we are unable to help them? What 
will become of them to-morrow when the great frosts will begin, and when it 
will be necessary to provide them not only with bread, but also with fuel, clothing 
and shelter? To-day many families live in brans or camp in the open air. Will 
they be able to do this in the season of rain, of snow and of wind? They will 



122 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

be forced to again migrate to take up again the path of the exile, to go to new 
regions where other families who are themselves suffering will be absolutely 
unable to assist them. 

Commission for the Assistance of Families of Jewish Soldiers. 

Following is a report of the Commission for the Assistance of 
Families of Jewish Soldiers, in Turkey, explaining the condition of 
the Jews there. 

Immediately after the participation of Turkey in the great war, the first 
concern of the Grand Rabbinate was for the fate of those poor homes, barely 
managing to exist from day to day, who would be deprived of their natural 
protectors. 

The general mobilization has in effect thrown a great number of families 
into the most abysmal misery from the very beginning. The urgency of relieving 
the suffering devolved upon our community, which, in spite of continued financial 
difficulties, had maintained the work. 

To meet this situation, the "Commission for the Assistance of the Families 
of Jewish Soldiers" was organized. Our first task was that of procuring a list 
of such families, the number of members in such families, and their condition. 
To effect this we had to have the cooperation of the Rabbis and administrators 
of the Capital. 

When the lists were drawn up, a subscription was opened among our co- 
religionists; each brother, forgetful of his own misfortune, engaged in mutual 
rivalry in generosity towards the work of humanity and Jewish solidarity. 

Even before the result of the subscription was known, our Commission 
raised some funds in order to meet the direct and most immediate necessity. 
In September, 1914, 13,847 piastres were distributed among 2,750 souls, five 
piastres (25 cents) a month being allowed for each person. The relief was, of 
course, the extreme minimum, each of the families relieved being barely able to 
buy bread. The Commission was cognizant of this, but on account of the rapidly 
increasing niunber of families made destitute by the calling of all classes to the 
colors, and the comparative meagerness of our resources, was forced to limit 
itself. 

The result of the local subscription reassured us, for it permitted us to carry 
on our charitable activities for eight months. The amount reached was 286,101.75 
piastres. 

Besides these monthly distributions during the Passover, the Committee 
distributed matzoths (which were double the price of bread), underwear and 
shoes to the most needy as well as all things necessary for the accouchement of 
poorer women. Also those soldiers stationed near Constantinople received 
matzoths, and a subsidy in coin from 10 to 20 piastres each. The entire 
Passover expenditures came to 43,050 piastres. 

It was impossible for us to directly cover all parts of Constantinople for 
investigations, registrations, etc. To obviate difficulties, sub-committees were 
formed in the various Jewish districts of the city, the members of which were 
chosen by the Rabbis, notables and aides of the civil administration. The 
sub-committees are in continual correspondence with the Central Committee; 
they are charged with the distribution of funds, investigations, enrollments, etc. 
The detailed account of each distribution, properly signed, is sent to us fre- 



Reports of Chief Rabbi of Salonica. 123 

quently. Inspections are constantly made in all quarters of the city, as is also 
the search for needy cases. 

At the beginning of June, when we had only enough for a final distribution, 
we had recourse to the benevolence of Mr. Morgenthau, to whom we explained 
the desperate situation in which those families would be placed if the relief was 
to give out. 

Mr. Morgenthau gave renewed proof of his exalted soul and endeavored to 
interest the Jewish benevolent committees of New York. We have now, owing to 
the appropriation of $2,500 from New York, proceeded to the July and August 
distribution, and we are now preparing the lists for the September distribution 
of this generous gift. 

Our Committee is happy to express on this occasion our continued gratitude 
to our American co-religionists for their noble actions towards our community 
in response to the appeal of Mr. Morgenthau. 

A poignant question now confronts us, "What about October?" The 
season will bring forth miseries, some of which we cannot foresee. The economic 
condition of the country is growing worse, and it will be physically impossible 
for our Jewish citizens to give any large contributions. Commerce, trade are 
paralyzed, and we look forward to a disheartening winter. 

As a piece of simple information we digress and give the following. In 
the center of Constantinople there is a Jewish district called Haskeuy, where a 
congested population of 15,000 Jews, mostly indigents, are gathered. The con- 
dition of this population has grown more and more horrible since the war began. 

Having been informed of this state of affairs, our community has formed a 
Commission under the presidency of our Grand Rabbi to improve the situation. 
This committee has been working for some time. It tries to obtain small capital 
for the heads of families, to care for the sick, to assure a pension to the widows 
and orphans, to distribute articles of accouchement, underwear, fuel, to aid the 
schools. For eight months we have continued this relief. 

The Commission of relief, which has its headquarters at the Grand 
Rabbinate, is now permanent, having a monthly drawing account of between 
1,000 and 1,200 piastres from the communal funds. 

Although our community has shown clear proof of solidarity in the moments 
of stagnation and precariousness, the Commission cannot continue its work 
without the generosity of our American brethren. Having a profound faith in 
their charitable sentiments, we hope that in these sad days they will obey the 
traditions of Jewish generosity and not leave us in our great misfortune. 



REPORTS OF CHIEF RABBI OF SALONICA. 

In November the Committee received an urgent appeal for 
help from the Grand Rabbi of Salonica. The sum of $1,000.00 was 
sent to him through Mr. Morgenthau. Following is a letter, dated 
November 17, 1915, acknowledging receipt of this sum: 

I have the honor to bring to your knowledge the fact that His Eminence, 
Mr. Morgenthau, Minister of the United States at Constantinople, has remitted 
to us the sum of 5,162 Drachmas, equivalent to $1,000.00, on account of your 
Honorable Committee. Not having received any advice from you on the subject 
of this remittance, T have been led to presume that it is intended for the aid of 



124 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

the Jews expelled from Syria who have taken refuge in Can6e. As I have alreadj^ 
explained to you in my letter of the 29th of September, last, the care of these 
refugees until the end of the war having been assured hy the Consulates of Eng- 
land and France at Can^e, I have considered it unnecessary to send this money 
to the presumed destination, and am keeping it at your disposal until the arrival 
of your instructions. 

Mr. President, it is with the most profound emotion that I find myself 
obliged to come a second time to solicit your help in favor of the Jewish com- 
munity of this city. You know very well that our community has imposed 
upon itself up to the present time all the possible sacrifices in order to meet all 
its own needs without having recourse to the generosity of outsiders. Unfor- 
tunately, the community finds itself at the present time in an impasse from 
which it is impossible to go for the following reasons: In about four months 
we will have the festival of Passover. In order to provide matzoths for the poor 
families of our city alone, it will be necessary to expend the sum of 80,000 francs, 
although the sacrifice for this purpose needed formerly was only about 30,000 
francs. 

The quantity of matzoths distributed free of charge to the poor in normal 
times, which was 55,000 ocques, will cost this year 65,000 francs, at a price of 
1.50 francs per ocque, although formerly this price was not more than 60 centimes. 
This is a sacrilice which our community will never be able to bear. This condition 
makes us tremble and obliges us to turn to your benevolence. 

Intercede, I pray you, with your Honorable Committee in order that we 
may get its powerful support in this critical time. 

Although four months separate us from the approaching festival of Passover, 
our community must now begin to make preparations for getting the necessarj' 
wheat. 

Lend us once again your efficient help and put us in a position to relieve a 
large number of families once well-to-do, and to-day in the greatest misery. 

Our community will guard your memory forever and the relieved families 
will not cease to bless the names of their benefactors. 

I beg you to be good enough to excuse, Mr. President, the liberty which 
I am taking to approach you in these circumstances and with my thanks in 
advance, I beg you to accept the expression of my most devoted sentiments. 

The Grand Rabbi. 

(Signed) J. Meir. 

In December, 1915, the Joint Distribution Committee sent the 
sum of $25,000.00 to the Grand Rabbi of Salonica, instructing him 
to administer this fund for the relief of destitute Jews in Salonica 
and in^the interior of Greece. Following is a letter, dated March 7, 
1916, from the Grand Rabbi, stating how this money was to be 
distributed : 

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the kind letter which your 
Treasurer addressed to me under date of December 28th, last, and which reached 
me yesterday after a lapse of almost two months; I have also received your 
honorable letter of the 24th of the same month, to which I have not replied, it 
having crossed with my letter of January 10th, last. 

The sum of $25,000.00 which you have sent me was turned over to me on 



Reports of Chief Rabbi of Salonica. 125 

January 5th through the good offices of Mr. Kehl, Consul of the United States 
at Salonica, in the name of the Secretary of State at Washington. I am seizing 
this occasion to express to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the entire Jewish 
population of this region as well as in my own name, our thanks for the noble 
act which your honorable Committee has been good enough to perform in these 
circumstances. 

I hasten to inform you that as soon as I came into the possession of the sum 
mentioned above, I charged a commission, formed by the Presidents of the three 
councils of this community, to prepare a program with regard to the distribution 
of this money. Up to the present time, important assistance in supplies and in 
currency have been distributed to needy families in Salonica. A part has been 
appropriated for the different communities of the interior and a large sum has 
been set aside to supply the needs of our co-religionists for the approaching 
Passover holidays with regard to which I wrote to you on November 17th, last. 

The number of Jewish famiHes to be assisted on this occasion and the 
subsidies to be accorded to the Jewish soldiers of the various armies now at 
Salonica, and who exceed 3,000 in number, cannot be determined at the present 
moment. It is therefore not possible to send you just now the detailed report 
for which you ask. After the Passover holidays, we will be in position to give 
you a satisfactory statement. 

The following is a letter, dated May 10, 1916, explaining the 
principles v^hich guided the committee in Salonica in the distribution 
of the various amounts remitted. This letter is followed by financial 
statements rendered by the Grand Rabbi of Salonica: 

I have the honor to confirm my letter of the 7th of March last, and 
complying with your wish, I present herewith a statement showing the 
distribution of the donation of $25,000 which your honorable Committee 
has been good enough to appropriate in favor of the needy Jews of Salonica 
and vicinity. I beg to inform you that the special commission which has 
cooperated with me in the distribution of your gift, and w-hich is, as I 
informed you in a previous letter, composed of the presidents of the three 
communal councils, taking into consideration the present critical situation 
in this region and desiring to provide for events which are likely to occur 
at a future date, has considered it advisable to exercise a certain amount 
of reserve in the distribution of help. In fact, although it would have 
been necessary to expend very much more money in order to relieve the 
misery which obtains at the present time among various classes of the 
Jewish population, yet recognizing the sound basis of the reasoning of the 
special commission, I have felt obliged to abide by this advice and have 
permitted the holding of a reserve fund of about 40,000 drachmas, of which 
I shall make it my duty to commvmicate to you later. 

I take advantage of this occasion to announce to you that the thousands 
of needy families, both of Salonica and of the interior, who have benefited 
by your generosity, do not cease to bless the names of their benefactors 
and to pray to the Almighty to accord to them prosperity and good fortune. 
I add my most sincere prayers to those of all the communities of our region 
and invoke the benedictions of all the members of your honorable Com- 
unittee, who by such noble acts have raised the prestige of universal Judaism. 



126 



Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 



STATEMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF $2,500 SENT BY THE AMERI- 
CAN JEWISH RELIEF COMMITTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE 
POOR JEWISH FAMILIES OF EPIRUS. 



Receipts. 

Drachmas 
March _ 30, 1916, from the 
American Jewish Relief Com- 
mittee through Mr. Kehl, 
Consul of the U. S. at Salon- 
ica, $2,500.00, which is equiv- 
alent to 12,685 



Total Drachmas 12,685 



Disbursements. 

Drachmas 
April, 1916, sent to the com- 
munities of Epirus: 

At Janina 6,560 

At Arta 2,500 

At Preveza 2,000 

At Delvino 300 

At Philippiada 300 

At Arguirveastro 200 

At PhUiath 200 

At Parga 200 

At Metzovo 200 

At Paramitia 200 

Expenditures 25 

Total Drachmas 12,685 



STATEMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF $1,000 SENT BY THE AMERI- 
CAN JEWISH RELIEF COMMITTEE FOR THE RELIEF OF 
THE NEEDY JEWS OF CRETE AND OF THE 
JEWISH REFUGEES FROM SYRIA. 



Receipts. 

Drachmas 
November 17, 1915, from the 
American Jewish Relief Com- 
mittee, through Mr. Morgen- 
thau, U. S. Ambassador at 
Constantinople, $1,000.00, 
equivalent to 5,162 



Total Drachmas 5,162 



Disbursements. 

Drachmas 
May, 1916, sent to Crete for 
the following: 

For 125 refugees from 

Syria 2,000 

For 280 native Jews 840 

For expenses of the school 

for refugees. . 300 

Total Drachmas 3,140 

Balance on hand May 10, 

1916 2,022 

Total Drachmas 5,162 



Reports of Chief Rabbi of Salonica. 



127 



STATEMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF $25,000 SENT BY THE JOINT 

DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE FOR THE RELIEF OF THE 

JEWS OF SALONICA AND VICINITY. 



Receipts. 

Drachmas 
Jan. 6, 1916, from Joint Dis- 
tribution Committee through 
the Department of State of 
the U. S., equivalent to 126,550 



Carried forward 126,550 



Disbtirsements. 

Drachmas 

Feb. 20, 1916, to the committee 
of the charitable Society 
Yechouoi Verahamun for im- 
mediate assistance, such as 
coal, clothing, milk and other' 
food for indigent sick 10,000 

March 30, to the special com- 
munal commission for the 
distribution of matzos to the 
needy 40,000 

April 10, to the Society for the 
support of the Rabbinat for 
subsidies to be given to poor 
families of the members of 
the Rabbinat 5,000 

April 10, to the Committee for 
the distribution of relief for 
subsidies to the hitherto 
prominent families at pres- 
ent in need 10,312 

April 10, sent to the communi- 
ties of the interior: 

Serres. . . .Drachmas 3,000 

Monastir 3,000 

Fiorina 440 

Veria 100 

Chios 33 

Zakintos (Old 

Greece) 300 

6,873 

April 20, subsidies given to 
refugees from Istip, Strum- 
nitz, Monastir and other 
places now in Salonica 2,500 

April 20, cost of 3,200 kilo- 
grams of matzos sent to Jew- 
ish soldiers of the Allied 
armies on various fronts. . . . 4,490 

April 20, subsidies and matzos 
given to 230 Jewish soldiers 
of the Greek army on fur- 
lough, in Salonica, for pass- 
over 1,500 

May 1, cost of food for 200 
Jewish soldiers of the Allied 
armies on furlough in Salon- 
ica during Passover (5,080 
meals) 1.160 

May 1, cost of food and matzos 
sent to Jewish soldiers in the 
garrison of Sedes • 200 

May 1, loans to Serbian fami- 
lies now in Salonica 515 

Carried forward 82,550 



128 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Receipts — Continued. Disbursements — Continued. 

Drachmas Drachmas 

Brought forward 126,550 Brought forward 82,550 

May 1, to the commission for 
the protection of the Hirsh 
quarter, to repair the bar- 
racks of poor Jewish famihes, 
damaged by a recent aerial 
bombardment 3,500 

Total Drachmas 86,050 

Balance on hand May 10, 

1916 40,500 



Total Drachmas 126,550 Total Drachmas 126,550 

Report of the disbursements of the funds, received at the Grand 
Rabbinat from America, in conformity with the instructions of the 
Department of State at Washington, contained in the letters of 
March 8th and of March 10th, 1916, and conveyed to the Grand 
Rabbinat by Hon. Mr. PhiUip, Acting Ambassador of U. S. A. at 
Constantinople : 

1. Dardanelles. — A Committee composed of Messrs. I. Bosaldo, 
D. Calderon and S. D. Levy was created, and $1,500.00 or £352 placed 
at its disposal. This sum was distributed among the Jewish refugees 
in this city in proportion to their needs. Besides this, and before the 
arrival of this help, we distributed £100 to supply the special needs for 
Passover. This was distributed further with the assistance of Mr. S. D. 
Levy, President of the Colony of Refugees from the Dardanelles in Con- 
stantinople. We have deducted this sum from the relief money which we 
received from America. 

2. Aleppo.— The $750.00 or £176 intended for this city has been 
forwarded to Chief Rabbi Hizkia Schabetray on April 27th, to be given 
to a Committee, composed of Messrs. Yom-Tov Schamasch, Joseph 
Schamasch, Murad Tawil, Yesaia Rafoul, Aaron Silvera and Rabbi Salomon 
Elia Laniado. This city was also helped at regular intervals with sums 
varying between 40 pounds and 50 pounds out of the money which the 
Jewish Committee in New York placed at our disposal. 

3. Gallipoli. — We have written to Mr. Preciado Yohai to inform 
him that the sum of $500.00 or £117, had been received for the use of the 
poor of the city, and we have requested him to organize a Committee, of 
which he should be a member, for the purpose of distributing the relief 
money. This Committee has just been formed, and we have turned over 
the sum mentioned, also furnished it with instructions as to the method 
of organizing the relief work. 

4. Magnesia.— On April 27th £19 or $80.00 was forwarded to Mr. 
Behor Gomel, with the urgent request to have it distributed among the 
needy families, with the collaboration of Messrs. Moise Gomel and Feyzi 
Nahoum as members of the Committee. This community had a share in 
the general relief funds from America. 



Reports of Chief Rabbi of Salonica. 129 

5. Monastir.— The sum of $200.00 intended for this city has been 
sent to Mr. David Pipano, Rabbi of Sofia, through the Wiener Bank Asso- 
ciation of our city, and exchanged for Bulgarian money, about 1.233.75 
levos. Prior to that, on January 25th, we had sent to Monastir, through 
the same medium, 854 levos, which Hon. Henry Morgenthau instructed 
us to send there. The instructions contained in the letter from Mr. War- 
burg have been conveyed to Rabbi Pipano, requesting him to organize a 
Committee of Distribution in this city, to be composed of Messrs. S. 
Nathama, I. Arouste, A. Alosldi, S. Aroesti and M. Testa. 

6. Tchorlou. — The Committee composed of Messrs. B. Behar, R. 
Barocas, M. D. Barocas, I. Eskenazi and B. S. Barocas, took charge of the 
S102.00 or £24 of April 28th. Since the last earthquake, this city has suffered 
great want, and the Jewish section especially, which was entirely destroyed 
by fire. At that time, a subscription bureau was opened by the Chief 
Rabbi. Assistance was given to those who needed it most urgently. The 
Committee which had been organized at that time, decided to apply the 
balance remaining from the subscriptions in order to construct a few huts. 
This project could not be put into execution, because of the existing con- 
ditions, and we have been obliged to draw upon this fund in order to send 
£200 to the Committee of Tchourlou before Passover, for the relief of the 
families in distress because of the present war. 

7. Mrs — We have had this lady, to whom the sum 

of $10.00 had been sent, report to us. She lives at , in the 

home of her maternal uncle, Mr She never before appealed 

to the Chief Rabbi, because she received the regular pension which the 
government gives to the families of soldiers who are without support, but 
when her husband died the pension was cut off. Then she appealed to 
the Chief Rabbi, who immediately entered her name on the register of 
"The Committee of Assistance for the Families of Jewish Soldiers," and 
apportioned a monthly pension to her. Besides this, the Chief Rabbi is 
trying to find some suitable work for her in order to ameliorate her con- 
dition. 

(This is one example, out of hundreds, of the information we 
are obtaining from our correspondents in answer to appeals of Jews 
in America for news of their relatives and friends in the different 
War Zones, Palestine, etc.) 

In addition to the above, a detailed report is being prepared, 
containing the complete information relative to the organization 
and work ttndertaken since the second month of the general mobili- 
zation; the method of distribution; statistics of the families assisted; 
widov/s of the soldiers; orphans, etc. It will be ready as soon as 
the distribution for the month of May is completed. 

As to the Provinces, we are waiting for the replies which we 
have asked from the various cities, in order to complete our second 
report. 



V. PALESTINE. 

On August 31, 1914, $50,000 was appropriated for Palestine 
relief as follows: 

American Jewish Committee $25,000. GO 

Jacob H. Schiff 12,500. 00 

Provisional Executive Committee for General 

Zionist Affairs (Nathan Straus) 12,500. 00 

A report as to the plan of distribution of tliis fund was presented 
on October 21, 1914, by Mr. Maurice Wertheim, who went to Pales- 
tine for the purpose of carrying the money there, and of worldng 
out a plan for distribution. This report has been presented in full 
in the American Jewish Year Book of 1915-16, on page 360. The 
following reports have been received from the committee in charge, 
consisting of Dr. Ruppin of Jaffa, Mr. Ephraim Cohn of Jerusalem, 
and Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn of Haifa. 

REPORT OF DR. ARTHUR RUPPIN 

(To Provisional Zionist Committee) 

July 1, 1915, 

On the $50,000 Fund Distributed by Mr. Maurice Wertheim. 

Appropriation. 

American Jewish Committee $25,000.00 

Jacob H. Schiff 12,500. 00 

Provisional Executive Committee for 

General Zionist Affairs (Nathan 

Straus) 12,500.00 

.$50,000.00 or 251,998.02 Francs. 
Distribution. 



Fund , ,„ , , 

No. Relief Loans totals 

1 Taffa Fr. 14,140.00 16,697.72 30,837.72 

2. JudaeanColonies.'.'.'.V.:::::::.;. 4,850.00 24,150.00 29,000.00 

3. Jerusalem 72,698.52 45,513.06 118.21-58 

4. Samaria and Galilee 67,924.28 67,924.28 

Fr. 159,612.80 86,360.78 245,973.58 

Balance on hand 5,119. 53 

Administrative Expense (Travel- 

ling Expenses, Postage, etc.) •^"•*- ''^ 

159,612.80 86,360.78 251,998.02 

131 



132 Reports Received by Johil Distribution Committee. 

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT BY DR. RUPPIN, MAY 5, 1915. 

I. Vaad Hakalat Hamischber (Committee for Relief in Crisis). 

The outbreak of the great war in August, 1914, created an economic crisis 
in Palestine, which was intensified when Turkey declared war several months 
later. In the belief that the crisis would not last more than a few months, the 
Vaad Hakalat Hamischber was organized for the purpose of alleviating the 
distress of the Jewish population and to raise the funds locally. The Vaad 
affiliated itself with the council in charge of general Jewish afifairs in Jaffa, and 
collections were begun in Jaffa and Tel- Aviv. It soon appeared that the Vaad, 
with its limited means, could not cope with the situation alone. Special com- 
mittees were therefore organized for particular purposes: the Vaad Hakemach 
(Flour Committee) for the distribution of bread and flour; the Vaad Hamuchad, 
representing the laborers and artisans; a committee on public works for the 
employment of penniless laborers, etc. 

Before any relief funds arrived from America, the Vaad Hakalat Hamischber 
distributed bread, flour and other food supplies through sub-committees of the 
Yemenite, Sephardic and Ashkenasic communities of Jaffa. Public kitchens 
were established and maintained. A kitchen was established for working people, 
but was later given up when their economic condition improved. A tea-room 
was opened nearby. Loans were granted to several Jaffa institutions (the 
hospital, for instance) and to private individuals who were cut off from their 
financial connections in Europe and America. 



n. Vaad Hakemach (Flour Committee). 

In normal times Palestine produces enough grain for its own consumption 
and even for export. But a bread famine was threatened early in the war because 
of the heavy military requisitions, and because of the difficulties of transporting 
grain from the Hauran and Galilee to Jaffa and southern Palestine. A few well- 
to-do men organized the Vaad Hakemach and obtained a loan from the Anglo- 
Palestine Company on their personal guarantees. They bought up flour all 
over the country, had it milled, and placed on sale at 2 to 3 francs per bag below 
the market price. The most important achievement of the Vaad Hakemach 
was in keeping the market price of flour down bj?^ having large quantities on hand, 
and thus saving the public from the speculators. The Vaad Hakemach was also 
very helpful to the public kitchens, the school kitchens, the working people's 
societies and the Vaad Hamischber, because by selling them flour at a low price 
and delivering it promptly, they were able to keep up their work. 



III. Supply Shops of the American Relief Fimd. 

Although there were adequate supplies in the country at first, there was 
serious danger that speculators would corner the market and have the public 
at their mercy. Three shops were opened with American relief funds in different 
quarters in Jaffa, where food and petroleum were sold at cost. These shops 
were also of great service because they accepted the checks of the Anglo-Palestine 
Company at a discount of only 10 per cent., and thus practically compelled 



Report of Dr. Arthur Ruppin. 133 

private merchants to do the same. When the Government forbade the circula- 
tion of these emergency checks, the shops issued booklets to their customers in 
which credit was given for the amount of checks deposited with them, less 10 per 
cent, discount. This prevented the loss of several hundred thousand francs' 
worth of the checks in circulation in Jaffa. 

The American Relief Fund allowed space in its shops to the Vaad Hakemach 
for the sale of its bread and flour. This was done to save rent and other expenses 
for the Vaad Hakemach. 

The shops suffered from a heavy military requisition, and by May, 1915, 
their supplies were exhausted. They were then expecting to replenish their 
stocks from the food ship "Vulcan." 



IV. Public Works. 

The Committee on Public Works, organized early in the war in the interest 
of the unemployed and destitute Jewish laborers of Jaffa, cooperated with the 
Vaad Hamuchad (the Laborers' committee) in working out plans for public 
works to keep the needy employed. The funds available were to be used only 
for the payment of wages, but not for building materials, etc. Streets were 
laid out, drains and irrigation work undertaken, pavements laid and repaired, 
the students' quarters at the Gymnasia Ibrit completed, etc. When the Gov- 
ernment prohibited the laying of streets near the seashore, the smaller works 
were continued. Finally, arrangements were made with private builders who 
had had to suspend their operations because of lack of funds. The wages of 
the laborers were met by the committee, which also granted loans to the builders 
at low rates of interest, payable after the raising of the moratorium. 



V. Public Loan Fund. 

Loans were granted to about 900 persons who were in straits because their 
communications with foreign countries had been interrupted by the war. These 
loans were granted on valuables, property and checks not now redeemable. 

Jaffa institutions hitherto largely maintained by contributions from America 
are now subventioned and partially supervised by the Distribution Committee 
of the American Relief Fund. Among these institutions are several public 
kitchens (e. g., the Gymnasia Ibrit pupil kitchen, the Alliance school kitchen, 
where several hundred children are fed, several Talmud Torah kitchens, etc.), 
the Jaffa hospital and the orphan asylum. 

About 1,000 francs were appropriated for flour for needy Arabs. The 
flour was placed at the disposal of the local Commandant and Mufti for dis- 
tribution. 

The sum of 800 francs was used to aid poor Jewish soldiers near Jaffa. 



134 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

AGREEMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF FUNDS IN PALESTINE. 

The Joint Distribution Committee accepted on November 29, 
1915 the agreement which had been entered into between the 
Provisional Executive Committee for General Zionist Affairs and 
the Central Jewish Relief Committee, for the distribution of the 
relief funds in Palestine. The various committees agreed that in 
future all relief funds sent to Palestine should be transmitted in 
accordance with this agreement, which is as follows; 

Agreement 

entered into on October 27, 1915, between the Zionist Provisional Committee 
and the Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering through the War, 
with reference to the sending of reUef funds to Palestine. 

Central relief for Palestine shall be designated in the following proportions 
and shall be brought into one common treasury and forwarded in the names of 
the parties to this agreement: 

Per cent. 

50 Jerusalem, Hebron, Moza 

5 Tiberias 

13 Safed, Einstitun, Pekein 

4 Colonies of Galilee 

3 Haifa 

25 Jaffa and Judean Colonies, including 

Zichron Jacob and Hederah 

The money shall be sent to the U. S. Consul at Jerusalem for all of the 
cities in Palestine except Safed and Tiberias. The latter two cities to be reached 
through the medium of the U. S. Consul at Beyruth, it being nearer to the last- 
named places. The Consuls shall pay out the money in the above proportions 
against vouchers to be signed by an authorized committee, named below, in 
whom this power is to be vested. 

The Committee on Vouchers for Jerusalem. 

Asher Yelinsky, David Yellin, Solomon Soloweiczik, Joseph Elysher and 
Solomon Rubin. 



The Committee on Distribution in Jerusalem. 

Zalman Rubin, Solomon Perlman, Asher Yelinsky, Mayer Adler, Aaron 
Mordecai Sommer, Isaac Chagis, Wolf Shocher, Bar Epstein, Alter Rivlin, 
Isaac Shiryon, Mendel Nuneshter, Zalman Soloweiczik, Dr. Auerback, Samuel 
Kuk, Chaim Solomon, Selig Lider, David Yellin, Dr. Maze, Samuel M. Rafaheli, 
Solomon Roth, Joseph Elusher, Moses D. Shub, Joseph Mejuchas, Solomon 
Musioff, Eliezer Kliansky for Hebron, Elijah Panizel and the Chairman of the 
Yemenite Community. 



Agreement for Distribution in Palestine. 135 

The Committee on Vouchers for Jaffa. 

Haham Bashi, Rabbi Uziel, Rabbi Schach and Dr. Ruppin. 

The Committee on Distribution for Jaffa. 

Rabbi Abraham, Isaac Kuk, Rabbi of Jaffa, or, in his absence, Rabbi Solo- 
mon Schach, Samuel Askenazy, Dr. A. Ruppin, Dr. Chesin, Abraham Lew, 
Elias Aaron, Cahane, Jacob Saltzman, Zalman Meisel, Bezalel Lapin, Baruch 
Perlman, Hanam Bashi, Rabbi Ben Zion Usiel, Joseph Shlush, Bezalel Jaffe, 
one Yemenite to be elected by the Yemenite Community, and the Chairman of 
the V'ads of all the Judean Colonies. 

The Committee on Vouchers for Tiberias. 

Haham Raphael Bibur, Solomon Gress and Ben Tovin. 

The Committee on Distribution for Tiberias. 

Solomon Gross, Ben Tevin (Anglo-Palestine Bank), Matthias Sandberg 
and Toledano. 

The Committee on Vouchers for Safed. 

Elia Klinger, Sender Tra\'itz and Haim Margolies-Kalvarisky. 

The Committee on Distribution for Safed. 

Haham Elia Entebi, Mones Steinberg, Elias Klinger, M. Karmiel, Manager 
A. P. C. Ben Zion Carsendo, Sender Travitz, Haim Goldman, Moses Barzel, 
Haham Nachman Abu, Haim Margolies-Kalvarisky and Rabbi Isaac Robbin. 

In the event of the death or removal from the city of any one or more of 
the committee on vouchers in any city, the signatures of the remaining members 
of that committee shall be accepted by the consuls until the vacancies are filled 
by appointment by the cx^mmittees who are parties to this agreement. 



136 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

As to funds sent to the American Relief Committee in Palestine, 
up to the 11th of April, 1915, the following statements have been 
received : 

Jaffa, March 3, 1915. 
Mr. Henry Morgenthau, 
American Ambassador. 

Very dear Sir: 

CONSTANTINOPLE. 

I beg to confirm the receipt of: $14,649.04 

Sent by the American Jewish Committee through Mr. Brylawski, 
out of which are destined for General ReUef upon your orders 10,000. 00 

(I shall designate in future this fund as American ReHef Fund 
No. III.) 

For charitable institutions and individuals as per list No. 1 sent 
to me by Mr. Lewin-Epstein on January 1st, a copy of which was sent 
through the American Consulate of Jerusalem. Nearly the whole of 
of the latter sum has already been distributed 4,649. 04 

Relief Fund No. III. : You were so kind as to wire your approval 
of my proposition to use these $10,000, partly for distributing flour 
or bread to destitute persons and partly for small loans against securi- 
ties. In accordance with this programme I venture to give you here- 
with the following details: 

For distribution by the American Consulate at Jerusalem, at 
Mr. Glazebrook's discretion, to persons who appeal for help direct to 
the Consulate 500. 00 

To cover small loans to Russian Jews in order to enable them to 
pay the fees for their Ottomanization so as not to be treated as for- 
eigners and expelled as such 1,000. 00 

To cover expenses for food for persons about to leave the country 
while waiting for the steamer and on the voyage 500. 00 

For distribution by local committees (about two-thirds for food- 
stuffs and about one-third for small loans against securities) 8,000. 00 

in the same ratio as heretofore, viz : 

47 per cent, at Jerusalem and Hebron $3,760 .00 

26 per cent, at Jaffa and the Judean Colonies 2,080.00 

27 per cent, at Haiffa and Galilee 2,160.00 

$8,000.00 



I have instructed the respective committees to manage the funds put at 
their disposal so that they would last until Passover, when we hope the steamer 
"Vulcan," with foodstuffs from America, will arrive, and render it possible to 
continue the work of relief still more efficiently. 

Yours very faithfully, 

(Signed) DR. A. RUPPIN. 



Soup Kitchens, Food Ship "Vulcan." 137 

Va. SOUP KITCHENS 

On September 28, 1915, the Joint Distribution Committee 
granted the request of Miss Theresa Dreyfuss for a subvention for 
three soup kitchens which she had estabHshed in Jerusalem, by 
voting $1,000 a month for five months. Miss Dreyfuss also received 
a contribution of $500 a month for five months from an individual 
donor. When, at the end of March, 1916, the appropriation was 
exhausted, another grant of $1,000 a month for five months was 
voted up to September 7, 1916. The soup kitchens had been con- 
ducted under the personal supervision of Miss Dreyfuss prior to 
her coming to America to enlist support for her work, as she had 
already succeeded in doing in Germany and in Holland. Although 
Miss Dre5rfuss returned to Palestine to resume her activities, she 
was not permitted to land. The disbursement of the funds and the 
general supervision of the soup kitchens have been taken in hand 
by Dr. Otis A. Glazebrook, U. S. Consul at Jerusalem. 

Vb. PALESTINE FOOD SHIP "VULCAN." 

In addition to the foregoing, the American Jewish Relief Com- 
mittee, the Central Relief Committee and the Provisional Executive 
Committee for General Zionist Affairs sent a shipment of food stuffs 
to Palestine on the U. S. Collier "Vulcan," on March 13, 1915. The 
distribution of the food stuffs on the "Vulcan" was conducted under 
the auspices of representatives of the American committees, Mr. 
Louis H. Levin of Baltimore, and Dr. Samuel Lewin-Epstein of 
New York, who went to Palestine on the "Vulcan." 

As to the distribution of "Vulcan" supplies in Jerusalem a 
complete printed report in Hebrew, entitled "Hamaschbir" has been 
issued by the Jerusalem committee under the chairmanship of Mr. 
David Yellin. 

The following is a brief account of the "Vtdcan" relief 
expedition: 

The relief ship was sent to Palestine by the American Jewish Relief Com- 
mittee and the Provisional Zionist Committee, in March 1915, because information 
had reached this country from trustworthy sources that there was insufficient 
food in Palestine, and that the population was faced with actual star\^ation if 
supplies were not brought in from without at once. 

About 1,000 tons of foodstuffs, 90 per cent, of which was flour, were sent; 
but there was also a goodly quantity of sugar, rice, coffee and tea, and many 
other articles in small lots. The value of the cargo was probably $100,000. 

The cargo was entirely contributed by Jews, mainly by the American Jewish 
Relief Committee, the Provisional Zionist Committee, The Central Committee, Mr. 



138 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Nathan Straus and Mr. Jacob H. Schiff. Many private contributions in kind 
were received, but they formed a comparatively small percentage of the whole. 

The supplies were sent by the U. S. Collier "Vulcan," which, by the 
courtesy of the American Government, was placed at the disposal of the commit- 
tees for the purpose, the space of 1,000 tons being reserved for the food shipment. 

The American Government obtained permission for the safe landing of 
the goods under the condition that they be distributed by American officials, 
and that Turkey give assurance that none of the supplies would be requisitioned 
by the military authorities. Not only was this assurance given, but the Turkish 
Government permitted the entrance of the goods duty free ; and some concession 
was gotten from the railroad in Palestine in the matter of transportation. The 
Egyptian Government permitted for the first time the purchase of supplies in 
Alexandria and the exportation of them to Syria, and the American Government 
allowed the "Tennessee" and the "Vulcan" to sell their surplus supply of tea 
and sugar to the expedition. 

The cargo was intended for the whole population, Moslems, Jews and 
Christians, though it was contributed entirely by the Jews and was effected 
by committees acquainted with local conditions, the Jewish committees 
taking care of the Jewish needy, and the Moslem and Christian committees 
doing the same for their people. 

There was food in the country, but such staples as flour and sugar had 
increased in price enormously, and, on the other hand, money was extremely 
scarce. The contributions that used to come in from Russia and Galicia had 
entirely stopped, and little came from Germany or other European countries. 
Even from America hundreds of people who used to receive remittances regularly, 
from relatives or from their investments, were either not getting anything at all 
or receiving funds at such long intervals as to amount to a cessation of contribution 
altogether. Besides, business was at a standstill, many had fled the countrj^ or 
had been driven out, and the people were less able than ever to do the little for 
themselves that they can do in normal times. The exactions of the Government, 
by way of requisition and taxes, fell heavily on merchants and private individuals; 
and the plague of locusts threatened the crops and plantations of the farmers, 
and gave warning of still harder times to come. 

The "Vulcan" cargo was sent out in charge of Mr. Louis H. Levin of Balti- 
more, Secretary of the National Conference of Jewish Charities, and Dr. Samuel 
Lewin-Epstein of New York acted as his assistant.^ 

Concerning the distribution of ''Vulcan" supplies in Jaffa, the 
Judaean colonies and the Samarian colonies, we have the following 
statements from Dr. Ruppin of Jaffa: 

Jaffa, September 20th, 1915. 
Dear Mr. Levin: 

Some time ago we sent you a general statement (a copy of which we enclose) 
about the distribution of the victuals brought by the "Vulcan" to Jews, Christians 
and Mohammedans. The reports on the distribution to Mohammedans and Chris- 
tians, Dr. Glazebrook, the American Consul at Jerusalem, will certainly give you. 

Concerning the 55 per cent, which fell to the share of the Jewish population 
of Palestine, which (according to the prices fixed here) are worth 257,568.63 
Francs, I take the liberty to inform you as follows: 



Food Ship "Vulcan.^' I39 

As you will remember, the percentage for the Jews in the towns and colonies 
was fixed as follows: 

Per Cent, of Goods 

Total Worth 

(a) Jerusalem with Hebron and 

Motza Fr. 154,541. 18 60 

(b) Jaffa 23,161.17 9 

(c) Haifa with Akko, Merchawia 

and Mesra 9,014.91 3i 

(d) Sidon 1,287.85 \ 

(e) Tibenas 15,754.11 6 

(f) Saffed with Einsentun and Pekin 30,908.23 12 

(g) Colonies in Judea 11,590. 59 4^ 

(h) Colonies in Lower Galilea. ..... 3,863. 53 1^ 

(i) Colonies in Upper Galilea 2,575.69 1 

(j) Colonies in Samaria 5,151. 37 2 

Frs. 257,568.63 100 

On account of the high charges for transport and because victuals are 
cheaper in Galilee than at Jaffa and Jerusalem, the towns of Saffed Haifa, Akko, 
Sidon, and partljr Tiberias, and the colonies in upper and lower Galilee have 
preferred to sell their part of the foodstuffs to the Committee of Jaffa, Jerusalem 
and the colonies of Judea and to receive the equivalent in ready money. 

The quantities of foodstuffs received by the several committees are as 
follows : 

(1) Samaritan Colonies: 

Flour, 9,298. 20 kilos, worth Frs. 4,463. 28 

Sugar, 475 kilos, worth 536. 75 

Rice, 196 kilos, worth 87. 60 

Other products, worth 63. 74 

Frs. 5,151.37 

Besides these victuals, the Committee of the Samaritan Colo- 
nies has bought from the committees in Galilee other goods amount- 
ing to Frs. 127.47 

making a total of goods worth 5,278 . 83 

We shall place the 127.46 frs. with the money the committee will receive 
from the American ReHef Fund. Until now I have not yet received a report 
from the committee as to the manner in which it disposed of the foodstuffs. I 
shall forward it to you upon receipt. 

(2) The town of Tiberias received out of its part of frs, the following 
food-stuffs worth 15,454.11: 

Sugar, 1,495 kilos, worth Frs. 1,685. 96 

Rice, 465 kilos, worth 319. 20 

Other Products, worth 743.91 

Frs. 2,749.07 
Ready Money 12,705. 04 

(3) In transporting the victuals from Jaffa to Jerusalem wc met with 
great difficulties, the railway being placed at our disposition only once for a 
quantity of about 70,000 kilos (about 40,000 kilos for Jews). The rest of the 
victuals were transported to Jerusalem by camels. As there were not a sufficient 
number of camels the entire transportation occupied about three months. By 



140 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

exercising great economy the Jerusalem committee succeeded in making the 
victuals last until September 1st, 1915. In the months of June, July and August 
victuals worth 50,000 frs., monthly, were distributed to about 20,000 poor people. 
By far the greatest part of the victuals were distributed gratuitously at Jerusalem; 
only a small percentage was sold on credit. 
Jerusalem received altogether: 

Flour, 281,445. 82 kilos, worth Frs. 126,650. 62 

Sugar, 18,000 kilos, worth 16,949. 96 

Rice, 8,011 kilos, worth 4,633. 14 

Coffee, 1,046. 50 kilos, worth. 4,729. 94 

Other Victuals, worth 6,849. 66 

Frs. 159,813.32 
Jerusalem should have received 60 per cent, of 

257,568.63 154,541.18 

It therefore received an excess of Fr. 5,272. 14 

We shall deduct this sum from the amount of the new relief fund for Jeru- 
salem. The Jerusalem committee has now put in print a detailed report about 
the distribution of the goods of the "Vulcan." You will receive this report in 
a few weeks. It will give you an insight not only into the distribution of the 
victuals, but also into the economical condition of the Jews at Jerusalem. 

The town of Jaffa received : 

Flour, 39,593 kilos, worth Frs. 18,560. 03 

Sugar, 1,708. 5 kilos, worth 1,969. 52 

Rice, 942. 7/8 kilos, worth 569. 52 

Other Goods, worth 2,445. 61 

Frs. 23,544.68 

which have been distributed among the Jews according to the enclosed table. 

Moreover, the Jaffa committee bought 95,000 kilos of flour, which has been 
sold to Jews in small quantities. The foodstuffs have lasted at Jaffa for seven 
weeks. 

(6) The colonies of Judea have received: 

Flour, sugar, rice and other merchandise for frs. 11,590.59 

which have been distributed among the colonies according to the enclosed table. 
Moreover, the colonies of Judea have bought goods for 9,175.07 frs. and have 
sold them in small quantities to their inhabitants. 

From those committees which received their share not in food but in money, 
for instance, Saffed, Haifa, Tiberias, colonies of Lower and Upper Galilee, I have 
not yet received a report about the manner in which the money sent to them 
was distributed. Generally speaking, these committees have followed the 
practice of distributing a part of the sum in ready money and buying flour, which 
is cheap there, for the balance, in order to distribute it among the poor population. 
The committees have succeeded in making these victuals last until now and in 
distributing weekly either small sums or a fixed quantity of flour. As soon as I 
receive from these committees the detailed reports, I shall forward them to you. 

Finally, I enclose an account of the money which you have turned over to 
me. I have added the balance of 6,823.87 frs. to the American Relief Fund. 

Very faithfully yours, 

(Signed) Dr. Ruppin. 



VI. ALEXANDRIA (EGYPT). 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF JEWISH 
REFUGEES FROM SYRIA AND PALESTINE. 

On December 18, 1914, a telegram from Port Said, addressed 
to the Russian Consul at Alexandria, announced the imminent 
arrival of almost 700 Russian Jews who had been expelled from 
Palestine. This first contingent was to be followed by many others. 
In fact, from December 19, 1914, to January 31, 1915, the various 
steamers arriving from Syria and from Palestine brought 7,475 
expelled persons, and since that time up to December 5, 1915, 3,802 
others came, making a total of 11,277 refugees. 

It is our duty to mention the special kindness which the 
American authorities evidenced towards our refugees through the 
intervention of the Hon. Henry Morgenthau, the U. S. Ambassador 
at Constantinople. The Cruisers of the United States Navy, and 
especially the "Tennessee" transported about 1,000 IsraeHtes ex- 
pelled from Syria and Palestine to Alexandria, free of charge. On 
board the Cruisers, these refugees received the special consideration 
of the commandants and officers. Mr. Arthur Garrells, the 
U. S. Consul at Alexandria, himself assisted at the disembarkment 
of the refugees from the Cruisers; assisted them in every way 
possible and made special inquiries as to the conditions under which 
they made the voyage. 

The situation of the refugees upon landing was pitiable. They 
were completely destitute, without shoes, clothing or linen. Some 
had been rudely arrested in the street and forced to embark without 
being able to carry anything with them; others had been withdrawn 
from prisons in which they had been confined for several weeks as 
subjects of an enemy, and conducted directly on board ship; others, 
finally tired of struggling against misery and frightened by the 
prospect of greater sufferings to come, left the country of their owti 
free will. It was heartbreaking to see this dejected crowd come 
from the steamers and land on the docks. Husbands looked for 
their Tvaves, parents for their children, a large number of whom 

141 



142 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

were seeking their mothers. The exile had separated members of 
the same family. 

These people upon whom misfortune had descended so heavily- 
had not all known misery. Among them there were rabbis, students 
who had consecrated their lives to the study of the law, others who 
belonged to the liberal professions, persons who possessed property, 
merchants, laborers who had acquired an honest competence by 
work. And now, all these found themselves cast away upon a 
foreign shore, their hearts full of anxiety. 

Formation of the Relief Committee. 

As soon as he received word of the approaching arrival of the 
Russian Jews from Palestine, the Russian Consul convened some 
of the leading Jews of his colony and placing himself at their head, 
constituted a committee charged with the purpose of providing 
immediate necessaries for the exiles. The committee consisted of 
the following: 

A. M. Petroflf, Russian Consul, President, M. Gruchkin, 

B. Levontin, Treasurer, J. Herzenstein, 
Mme. G. Stein, W. Jabotinsk3^ 
W. Gluskin, M. Margolis. 

This Committee assumed a task which required a great deal 
of work and devotion. We had to gather all these refugees to- 
gether, to furnish food; to clothe them; to organize a medical service 
for them; to protect the young women against the evil designs of 
certain individuals who attempted to take advantage of their misery ; 
and, to re-establish communication between the refugees and their 
relatives who remained in Turkey, or lived elsewhere, so as to pro- 
vide them either with the means to remain in Egypt, or else to 
enable them to rejoin them wherever they were. It was also neces- 
sary to find employment for some, and enable others to work at their 
different trades, besides providing instruction for the children. 
Besides this, this Committee was the intermediary between the 
refugees and their Consuls; pleaded for them before the different 
public authorities, etc., etc. 

With the assistance of Prof. Raphael Delia Pergola, the Grand 
Rabbi of Alexandria and his assistant Haham Abraham Abikzar, 
an appeal was made to members of the local Community and appeals 
were also made abroad. ■ The response was immediate. A public 
subscription was opened and gifts both in kind and in money 
flowed in. 



Alexandria Committee for the Assistance of Jewish Refugees. 143 

The Russian Consul established the first relief fund, allowing 
us F^r. . 50 per day, per soul. When the French refugees arrived, 
the French Consul allowed us the same subvention for the support 
of his countrymen. 

The most important Sub-Committees, were, the Committee 
on Supervision of Hygiene and Clothing, and the Committee on 
Education. 

We quote from the reports of these Committees: 



Committee on Supervision of Hygiene and Clothing. 

A large number of ladies offered their services. The refugees 
were inspected every day and given their most careful attention. 
In their hygienic work, they were assisted by the doctors of the 
city and by doctors from Palestine. Many institutions of the city, 
specially made and gave underwear and clothing. Among others, 
we may mention the ladies of the Convent "La Mere de Dieu." 
The work-rooms of the Colonic Francaise; of the Dames de Colonic 
Suisse; of the Jeunes Filles dTsraelites, etc., etc. 

The various Committees, soon brought order out of the con- 
fusion of the first few days, until the 15th of February, 1915, 
arrived. This date inaugurated a new period in our activity. As 
a matter of fact, during the month of January, 1915, ItaHan ships 
and the American cruisers, did not cease bringing us new refugees, 
of whom a certain number were of French and English nationality, 
and also a few belonging to other European countries, whom the 
fear of what might happen, had driven out of Turkey. We had 
to look after and sustain about 7,500 refugees. For this, a sum 
of about £3,000 per month was needed. This task was beyond 
our means, and eventually the "Committee for the Assistance of 
Jewish Refugees from Syria and Palestine was founded." 

The Committee consisted of the following: 

Grand Rabbi R. della Pergola .... Hon. President. 

Marc Margolies President. 

Wolf Gluskin \ Vice-Presidents 



Jacques Oettimger / 
David Levontin . 
Simon Mani 



Treasurer. 
Secretary. 



Messrs. D. Block-Blumenfeld, Danon, R. della Pergola, L. Berlin, Hahani 
Abraham Abi Klizir; Messrs. Maurice Aghion, Joseph Danon, Daniel Gaon, 
L Gouchkin, Jacob Herzenstein, David Idelovitch, Vladimir Jabotinsky, Dr. 
Joseph Kohn, Harry Kaplan, E. Levy and David Mizrahi. J. Pewsner, 
Accountant. 



144 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Up to the end of January, the Committee's receipts had 
approximated £9,790.919, of which the American Jewish ReHef 
Committee had, up to December 31, 1915, contributed £1,198.065, 
and the Provisional Executive Committee for General Zionist 
Affairs, £398.065. From December 20, 1914, to February 15, 
1915, the Committee spent £1,910.948 for food, shelter, clothing, 
debarkation and equipment of refugees. From February 15, 1915, 
to December 31, 1915, the Committee spent £6,969.69 for the 
following purposes: 

Subsistence £3,227. 169 

Repatriation 588. 702 

Traveling expenses of refugees to the Interior 36. 905 

Loans to artisans and small dealers 111. 585 

Telegrams from refugees to their relatives 94. 815 

Sundry advances 376. 345 

Various subventions 64 . 295 

Subsidies to schools 100. 400 

Medical assistance 452. 477 

Subvention to shops 219. 887 

Expenses of traveling in the interest of the refugees 21. 170 

Office expenses 381 . 275 

Other expenses 290. 973 



The Committee appointed the following sub-committees to 
devote themselves to the details of the relief work: 

1. Committee on Debarkation and Housing. 

2. Committee on Subsistence (to procure and to distribute food to 

the refugees). 

3. Committee on Supervision of Hygiene and Clothing (this com- 

mittee consists of women who have volunteered their services 
in looking after the hygienic condition of the refugees and 
furnishing them with clothing.) 

4. Committee on Employment and Labor. 

5. Medical Committee. 

6. Bureau of Correspondence (for establishing or renewing com- 

munication between refugees and their families in Russia or 
elsewhere). 

7. Committee on Repatriation (to facilitate the departure of such 

refugees as were able to leave Alexandria to join relatives), 

8. Committee on Education (for the maintenance of schools for the 

children of refugees). 



The refugees were not all located in camps. There were many 
of them, who for one reason or other, were located in the city, but 
who were entirely dependent upon us. By order of the Russian 
Consul, only the women, the old men and children of Russian 
nationaHty were left in the different camps. The adult Russians 
were sent back to Russia after remaining one month from the date 
of their arrival. (This order was afterwards rescinded when the 



Alexandria Committee for the Assistance oj Jewish Refugees. 145 

communication with Russia was intfemipted). In the meantime, 
our Committee was compelled to support them. We also had to 
take care of a certain number of refugees, who for one reason or 
another were not recognized by their Consuls. 



Sub-Committee on Subsistence. 

This Committee up to December 31st, 1915, spent £6,269.690 
in caring for the refugees that it was necessary to allow to remain 
in the city, and also for a certain number of refugees, especially 
Russians left in the encampments, who were also cared for at our 
expense. Our expenses for the refugees living in the city, were 
also increased every month, through the fact, that many families, 
found the resources, that they had brought with them were becoming 
exhausted, or who did not any longer receive the assistance which 
their relatives in Russia or elsewhere had been in the habit of 
sending to them. Besides the regular assistance given to the 
refugees, we distributed £199.170, in giving assistance to people 
who thus were in temporary distress. 

The Rabbis and the students were given special consideration 
and received larger subsidies than their companions in exile. 



Committee on Emplojonent and Labor. 

Unfortunately, the conditions were not at all favorable at first, 
in consequence of the crisis throughout Egypt caused by the war. 
Besides this, the ignorance of the languages spoken in Egypt did 
not permit a large number of refugees to work, or to occupy them- 
selves in their usual professions. We were therefore; compelled 
to create several work-shops, a carpenter shop, dress-making rooms 
and a book-binding shop, which we supported from our funds and 
from funds placed at our disposal by the Alliance Israelite Univer- 
salle and by AeHahou Hanabi Lodge of the Order B'Nai Brith. 

These work-shops gave us considerable trouble., and were the 
cause of a great deal of expense, because they were not conducted 
as co-operative work-shops, but they did not entirely fail in their 
intention. 

As a matter of fact the presence of a large mmibcr of British 
Troops in Egypt, made it possible to establish a number of industries 
in which our refugees found employment; carpentering, boot 
making, iron-working, washing, etc. 



146 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Sub-Committee of Education. 

As soon as the refugees were located in the various encampments 
and their support was assured, tliis Committee had only one care 
which was to give proper instruction to the children. 

All the Jewish schools in Alexandria received a large number 
of the little refugees. Nurses, classes for mothers, and primary 
classes were established in the different encampments. This Sub- 
Committee decided to create only temporary organizations, very 
simple ones, and to adapt methods and programs so that the pupils 
could either continue the studies commenced in Palestine, or which 
would prepare them, so that they could follow them when they 
return. 

It is for this reason that we have attached great importance 
to the study of Hebrew, which was the basis of the instruction; 
English, French and Arabic, being the secondary languages. 

In May, 1915, Miss Landau, the directress of the Evalina De 
Rothschild School in Jerusalem arrived in Alexandria. At the 
request of Mr. Homblower, Mr. Lewis Levine, Mr. Jack Mosseri, 
and Mr. N. Bentwich, the representatives of the American Jewish 
Relief Committee in Egypt, she devoted herself to the little refugees. 
The number of children in the different camps amounted to more 
than 1,000. The idea therefore, was conceived to create a large 
Central School, and the Committee asked Mr. Jack Mosseri, who 
turned over £800 for distribution among the refugees, to occupy 
himself specially with the school question. Unfortunately, the 
Central School project could not be put into effect, in consequence 
of it being impossible to find a location sufficiently large to hold 
all the children. 

Upon the suggestion of Mr. Mosseri, the construction upon a 
very simple plan, of the Wardin School was undertaken, upon 
a site which provides all the necessary hygienic requirements. The 
number of children attending this school amounts to about 400, 
divided into 7 classes. The teachers were recruited from among 
the refugees. The program of the school was arranged so as to give 
as much importance as possible to the learning of Hebrew, and it 
also includes the learning of EngHsh and Arabic. The school was 
officially opened in the month of November. The results shown are 
excellent and due honor must be given to Miss Landau, whose talent 
for organization is above praise. 

Mr. Mosseri succeeded in obtaining a sum of about £250 
left over from the subscription organized for the Kishineff victims, 



Alexandria Committee for the Assistance of Jewish Refugees. 147 

which had been lying for several years in Cairo and which was also 
used towards the construction of the school at Wardin. 

Mr. Bentwich approached the Anglo-Jewish Association in 
order to have it nominate Miss Landau as directress of the school, 
and it undertook to pay her salary. It also voted a credit of £100 
for school supplies. Ovir Committee allowed the school a subvention 
of £250 for the year 1915-1916. Mr. Homblower, on his part, 
consecrated a legacy of £200 to this work and £100 was taken 
from a special fund contributed out of the profits, realized upon 
the contracts for work relating to the refugees. From these special 
funds, the administration was able to distribute Cod Liver Oil to 
the children under four years of age, milk to the niu-sing mothers 
and in general to those who were in a weak condition. 

Close to Chouna and for the encampment there, Mr. Sloutskin 
opened a school which he supports at his own expense. It has about 
130 scholars and eight teachers. 

In all these schools the children are not only taught, but they 
acquire the habits of order and cleanliness. An ingenious system 
of prizes, stimulates their zeal. Confectionery is distributed; 
they are taken out for promenades. Little treats in the school, 
sustain order and give a little pleasure to their broken hearts. 

Neither the Jewish section of the city, nor those of the camps, 
could provide instruction for all those who were anxious to obtain 
it. A certain nrunber belonging to some of the camps, and a large 
number living in the city, already somiewhat advanced in their 
studies, did not know where to go for them. It was necessary 
therefore, to create an estabhshment which was similar as much 
as possible in advancement and methods to the Palestinean schools. 
Before creating anything permanent and rendering our budget Hable 
for expenses that would be too heavy, we decided to estabHsh two 
"trial" classes. We appealed to Mr. Joseph Piccotto, and he put 
two rooms at the Free School at our disposal. They were under 
the direction of Dr. J. Loruie of Jaffa. Eighty pupils were able 
to continue their studies in the Hebrew language, which they had 
commenced in Palestine. The trial was encouraging. The requests 
for admission were so numerous, that the Committee considered 
it its duty to recognize them and to undertake the necessary sacrifice 
to give satisfaction to the need of instructing the little refugees. 
As quickly as possible we created a Hebrew School in the center 
of the town, which now has 300 scholars including the eighty pupils 
who formerly comprised the two special classes at the Hebrew Free 



148 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

School. This school is under the direction of Mr. Bogratchoff, the 
director of the Jewish Gymnasium of Jaffa. His budget calls for 
£50 per month. 

Conclusion. 

In furnishing the preceding details, the Committee desires 
as shortly as possible, to indicate the many needs which press for 
its attention and the efforts they have made to satisfy them. There 
are other needs equally pressing, which have been called to its 
attention, but it has not been able to satisfy them, through lack 
of funds. 

The situation to date, of the refugees, causes us to arrive at 
the following conclusion: 

There are now at Alexandria about 4,400 refugees, of whom 
about 1,200 are absolutely dependent upon us. In spite of all the 
splendid co-operation which has been given to us from elsewhere, 
the condition is lamentable, and demands vigilant attention and 
sustenance from us. 

Neither the Government Authorities nor the "Committee for 
the Assistance of Jewish Refugees from Syria and Palestine," has 
ever spent more than 60 centimes per day per person, and this in 
spite of the fact that the price of food gets higher day after day. 
The condition of the refugees therefore, grows worse, without over 
being able to do anything at all to remedy it. If it is difficult for 
a person to live on such a small amount under ordinary circum- 
stances, what must be the condition of oirr refugees, of whom a 
great number have always lived in comfortable circiunstances? 

As we have seen, out of the 12,000 refugees who were landed 
at Alexandria, there are today about 4,400 left in the country. 
The others have been able to escape from actual misery, either by 
finding something to do, or by leaving Egypt. 

The great majority of the refugees who are now left in our 
charge, constitute the most interesting part of the expelled Pales- 
tinean population. They are, for the most part, people who after 
having suffered unheard of indignities in the country of their origin, 
after having left all that they possessed, went to Palestine and 
there established homes, or else established large agricultural, 
industrial or commercial enterprises. They are attached to the 
country by every fibre of their hearts; their dream is to retturn to 
Palestine; their ideal is to consecrate themselves with ardor and 
with fervor to Jewish work; there they could continue their work 
of civilization, and be an element of material prosperity in the land 



Alexandria Committee for the Assistance of Jewish Refugees. 149 

of their ancestors. What a disaster for them, if again they are 
compelled to become exiles, to direct their steps towards some 
other countries! 

There are other cares which confront us: Many of the refugees 
succeeded in bringing funds with them, and up till now were able 
to support themselves, free from all care, the more, because during 
the first ten months of their exile, they were able to communicate 
with their friends and agents and in this way add to their resoiu-ces. 
Today they are absolutely isolated. Their resotuces are exhausted, 
and our assistance becomes absolutely indispensable. The niimber 
of these people grows larger every day and we are doing all we can 
to assist them. Even with the very strictest econom}^, it is how- 
ever, impossible for us to do this at this time, with the means at 
our disposal. We must have £750 per month to cover the most 
urgent expenses. It is impossible to reduce this amount. We 
cannot reduce it any more, without adding to the misery of the 
refugees. At this moment, the amount on hand, is hardly enough 
to meet the needs of a single month. What will happen if our funds 
are not augumented? Hundreds of old men, women and children 
will roam around the streets, vainly holding out their hands, con- 
demned to misery, to sickness and to despair. Our thoughts refuse 
to conjure up so horrible a spectacle, especially after the many 
evidences of solidarity which have been shown to us from all over 
the world. On the contrary, we are persuaded that now that oiu- 
needs have grown greater and have become more urgent, our 
brethren in Egypt and abroad will sustain us in our efforts to 
accomplish the task which we have assimied. We therefore, most 
urgently appeal to all our friends to continue to aid us. We have 
need of their assistance. 



VII. SWITZERLAND. 



REPORT OF THE CENTRAL RELIEF COMMITTEE FOR JEWISH 
STUDENTS IN SWITZERLAND. 

On March 2, 1915, Mr. Hermann Conheim received a telegram from America 
announcing an appropriation of $2,500.00 for needy Jewish students in Switzer- 
land and naming a committee on distribution. Being a stranger in the country 
(an American), Mr. Conheim immediately consulted with the Rabbi of Zurich, 
Dr. Littmann, and the President of the B'nai B'rith Lodge of Zurich, Dr. BoUag. 
Dr. Pinkus, of Zurich, proved tobe the "Pinsky of Bern" named in the American 
telegram, and he brought together the other members of the distribution com- 
mittee: Messrs. Ben-Ami, Aberson, Chanis, Rabbi Segal, of Geneva, and Mr. 
Epstein, of Lausanne. Mr. Gorelik could not be traced, as there were several 
men of that name in Geneva, and Mr. Chanis, who had suggested inviting him, 
was still in America. The Rector of the University of Geneva was not included, 
because that would have involved inviting the Rectors of the Universities of 
Bern, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne, with ensuing complications. 

The above-mentioned gentlemen formed the Central ReHef Committee 
for Jewish Students in Switzerland, and coopted members of Jewish students' 
organizations in all of the university towns as expert advisers on student needs. 
The secretarial work was conducted by Mr. Conheim and Dr. Pinkus at the 
latter's office, which has also served as the headquarters of the Central Relief 
Committee. 

The first step was to distribute blanks to the students' committees, to be 
furnished by them to students in need of help. Bulletins were posted in the 
universities announcing that such blanks were obtainable from the students' 
committees. The result was as follows: There were received from 

Geneva 20 requests amounting to Fr. 3,067. 00 

Lausanne 27 " " " 3,585.00 

Bern 31 " " " 8,550.00 

Zurich 55 " " " 23,400.00 

Basel 14 " " " 4,750.00 

Totals 147 Fr. 43,779.00 

There was a sum of 13,448.40 in hand to meet these requisitions, 
which obviously could cover only a fraction of the needs. 

A public conference was held in Bern on April 18, 1915, where the method 
of distribution was adopted. Representing the Central Relief Committee, 
there were present Mr. Conheim, Dr. Pinkus, Dr. Littmann, Mr. Chanis and 
Mr. Ben-Ami. Messrs. Segal, Aberson and Epstein sent their excuses. The 

151 



152 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Jewish students of the various universities were represented by about twenty 
delegates. The expenses of the conference and of the relief work itself were 
borne by Mr. Conheim. 

At this conference, Mr. Chanis reported on his trip to America and pre- 
sented the views of the American contributors. Dr. Pinkus then made a 
statement on the requisitions received, and pointed out that the requisitions 
from Geneva and Lausanne were for fewer persons and more modest amounts. 
This he ascribed to the fact that in both Geneva and Lausanne the administrators 
of the Jewish students' relief funds had made thorough investigation of their 
applicants' needs. Dr. Pinkus suggested that there were two available methods 
for the distribution: first, to consider few applications, but to do them full 
justice, especially to students near the completion of their courses; or, second, 
to assist a large number of students with moderate sums, so that their bare living 
necessities would be covered for some time to come. 

The conference chose the latter method. It was decided to appropriate 
2,900 francs each for Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Zurich, and 1,400 francs for 
Basel; total, 13,000 francs. A balance of 448.40 francs for special purposes 
remained with the Central Relief Committee (see Financial Statement attached). 

The Distribution Committee for Geneva consisted of the Executive Com- 
Committee of the local Jewish Students' Relief Fund under the supervision 
of Mr. Ben-Ami, as a member of the Central Relief Committee. The Lausanne 
Distribution Committee was composed of the Executive Committee of the local 
Jewish Students' Relief Fund with Mr. Epstein as the supervisor for the Central 
Relief Committee. In Bern, the committee consisted of the representatives 
chosen at a meeting of the general Jewish student body under the chairmanship 
of Herr Messinger, the head of the Jewish community of Bern, supervised by 
Dr. Pinkus on behalf of the Central Relief Committee. In Zurich, where a 
union of the students was most difficult to achieve, a committee was constituted 
by the appointment of one representative each from the Jewish students' club 
and from the two Zionist societies, "Hachower" and "Ivria," together with 
Mr. Conheim and Rabbiner Dr. Littmann. In Basel the Distributing Committee 
was organized under the supervision of Mr. Conheim and with the kind assistance 
of the president of the Zionist Federation of Switzerland, Rechtsanwalt Dr. 
Arnstein. It was made up of the executive members of the newly established 
Jewish relief fund in Basel. 

In accordance with the decision of the conference at Bern, the distribution 
committees all devoted themselves to relieving the most urgent needs of the 
students. Only after that could students' requirements for pursuing their 
studies be considered. The party affiliations of the students were naturally 
disregarded when they presented their situation. 

The distribution is now completed, and the most necessary means furnished 
for a brief period. But the Central Relief Committee dreads the overwhelming 
distress that the end of the summer semester will inevitably bring. It therefore 
appeals once again to the generosity of the Jewish Relief Committee, for America 
is the only land to which the Jews of the agonized old world can look for help. 

From the purely Jewish viewpoint, there is this to add to the above report 
on the relief work. The Central Relief Committee felt itself in duty bound to 
draw student representatives only from the Jewish organizations. The Jews 
affiliated with the Russian students' societies were extremely dissatisfied with 
this course. They contended that they were entitled to representation in the 



Central Relief Committee for Swiss Students. 163 

relief work because they had already established students' relief funds and the 
majority of the members of the Russian students' societies were Jews (in many 
instances there would be only one or two Russian Christian members). They 
felt themselves entitled to a leading role in the distribution, and should have 
preferred that the funds be turned into their treasuries. 

The Central Relief Committee did not agree with this attitude, and ignored 
numerous objections and protests, because 



(1) The relief funds of the Russian studei;its' societies are devoted 
(apart from the Christian Russians) to Russian Jewish students only. 
Jewish students from Galicia, Palestine, Germany and so on were con- 
sistently refused when they asked for aid. Therefore, cooperation with 
these societies was ruled out from the first, because we could not very well 
recognize a mode of distribution to Jewish students according to their birth- 
places. 

(2) In the Russian students' societies there were gathered Jewish 
student elements which set their Russian loyalties above their Judaism — 
most of them denying their Judaism in public. The Central Relief Com- 
mittee could not in good conscience strengthen societies so pernicious 
to Jewish life by allowing them representation in purely Jewish relief activi- 
ties, where their voice and vote would count. Justice was fully done when 
in individual instances relief was given even to those who had denied their 
Judaism publicly. 



The Central Relief Committee felt strengthened in its attitude because 
of the decision of the conference at Bern, which unanimously adopted the prin- 
ciples above outlined, and because of the support it has received from the 
nationalist students, who everywhere strove to establish Jewish students' relief 
funds in places where none had existed, namely, in Bern and in Zurich. With 
the support of this fund, the so-called Russian colonies have come out as Jewish 
students' colonies, which maintain and strengthen Judaism. 

Mr. Conheim drew the Swiss Jews into the relief work from the beginning. 
In consequence, the relief funds had considerable local support, in Bern and 
Zurich, especially from the B'naiB'rith Lodge in Zurich. Now the communities 
of Geneva and Lausanne have become active. The various relief committees 
intend to unite, and the executive committee of the federation is to consist of 
the Central Relief Committee, together with delegates from each local relief 
committee. The federated relief fund will have its headquarters in the office 
of Dr. Pinkus in Zurich for the present. 

The Jewish Relief Committee (of America) therefore has the satisfaction 
of knowing that it has given impetus to the establishment of a permanent relief 
institution. The Central Relief Committee hopes that this will induce the 
American Jews to afford further assistance to the Jewish students in Switzerland. 
In view of the frightful sacrifice of the intellectual j^outh of Europe to this unholy 
war, it is simply a law of necessity to cherish those who remain. We therefore 
appeal urgently to America for help. 

The Central Relief Committee for Jewish 
Students in Switzerland. 

(Signed) H. Conheim. 



154 Reports Received by Joint Distribution Committee. 

Financial Statement. 

(1) Remittance ($2,500. 00 from American Jewish Relief Com- 

mittee Fr. 13,448. 80 

(2) Collections of Settimane Israelitica, Italy 392. 05 

(3) Remittance from Provisional Executive Committee for Gen- 

eral Zionist Affairs 1,358. 75 

Fr. 15,199.80 

Appropriations : 

Basel Fr. 1,400. 00 

Bern 2,900.00 

Geneva 2,900. 00 

Lausanne 2,900. 00 

Zurich 2,900. 00 

Special relief purposes: 

Zurich 100. 00 

Lausanne 280. 00 

Geneva 100. 00 

13,480.00 



Fr. 1,719.80* 



*The balance of Fr. 1,719. 80 is to remain in the hands of the Central Relief 
Committee until the affairs of the various local relief funds have been arranged — 
which_ will be soon. The distribution of this balance, as well as of future con- 
tributions, will be made on the plan outlined in this report. 



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